(Photo by Gary Mukai Images)

DULUTH, Minn. – One of the preseason favorites to roll to a tournament title toes the line with one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2020 campaign.

The top-ranked team for much of last year and most of this one, Minn.-Duluth is a senior-laden team.

Alas, the exuberant Florida Atlantic outfit cares nothing for pedigree or expectations.

D-II Round 2: Florida Atlantic at Minn.-Duluth | https://t.co/nsTUGA9KPb #virtualmcla20
— MCLA Tournament '21 (@MCLA_Tournament) April 4, 2020

No. 19 Florida Atlantic went up against a game No. 14 Utah State squad and squeaked out a victory.

The Owls won 608 of 1,167 total votes for the narrow 4.2 percentage point triumph.

Meanwhile, No. 3 Duluth won a huge, if somewhat flaccid, victory over No. 30 Sierra Nevada.

The margin of victory was as large as any in the first round – 34 percent – however the vote total (561) was one of the softest.

Considering the voter turnout from Boca Raton in Round 1, up-country Minnesota better level up.

Staff shirt on the line!