SALT LAKE CITY – Montana State allowed three goals in the first half, but the Bobcats did not give up another for the rest of the game on their way to a 10-3 victory over Metro State in the championship game of the Division II Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference (RMLC) tournament on Saturday at the University of Utah.

With the win, Montana State (15-0) earns an automatic berth in the 2016 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, which will be held from May 9-14 in Orange County, Calif. Montana State last qualified for the nationals in 2014, and will find out the seeding and matchups on Sunday evening.

After trailing 3-2 at halftime, senior middie Joe Ducharme opened the third quarter with an extra-man marker to tie the game before rookie middie Trey Bartoo bounced a shot into the Metro State (11-4) goal for what proved to be the game winner midway through the third.

The Bobcats methodically tacked on to the lead while leaning on senior goalie Parker Fairey and the defense, which blanked the Roadrunners for the final 32 minutes of action.

2016 RMLC Division II Tournament Results

Semifinals
#1SE Metro State d. #2NW Colorado Mines, 9-3
#1NW Montana State d. #2SE Fort Lewis, 12-11

Finals
#1NW Montana State d. #1SE Metro State, 10-3