via MCLA web site press release   JOHNS CREEK, Ga. –– No. 17 Palm Beach Atlantic ended an unprecedented weekend in the SELC Tournament, falling to No. 8 Florida Gulf Coast in the championship game, 14-8. The Sailfish (13-5) utilized wins over Tennessee Wesleyan (quarterfinals) and No. 13 Reinhardt (semifinals) to make it to the finals, but ran out of gas against perennial rival FGCU. GAME STATS »» It was PBA that scored first on an unassisted Rob Aycock (Greensboro, N.C./Walter Hines Page) dodge at 4:56, leading to a 2-2 at the end of the first quarter. Defenseman Matt Morris (West Palm Beach, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens) found the back of the net at 14:45 of the second quarter (Aycock assist) and the ‘Fish held what would be their final lead of the game. Senior Nick Scalzo(Webster, N.Y./Jacksonville Univ.) closed off a three goal run by the Eagles and Palm Beach Atlantic went into halftime trailing 6-4. Camden Baggs (Summerville, S.C./Ashley Ridge) opened the third quarter scoring, but the one goal deficit was as close as PBA would get the rest of the way. The Eagles scored seven unanswered goals before the Sailfish could muster a three goal run of their own. For good measure, the Eagles netted one final goal at 0:36 to take the game, 14-8. HISTORIC RUN Palm Beach Atlantic’s journey to the SELC Championship Game was unlike any season in Sailfish history. Prior to this season, the ‘Fish had only qualified for the tournament three times, never having won a quarterfinal round game. After beating Tennessee Wesleyan and the SELC’s Offensive Player of the Year (Parker Thomas) in round one, PBA held off No. 13 Reinhardt to advance to play for the SELC title. PLAYER OF THE GAME Sunday’s player of the game is Camden Baggs. Baggs scored all three of his goals in the second half, including back-to-back goals while man-up to bring the Sailfish closer to evening the score. For his efforts, Camden was named to the SELC’s All-Tournament team at the midfield. UNSUNG HERO OF THE GAME Sophomore goalie Drake Kessell (Hagerstown, Md./South Hagerstown) is the unsung hero of the game for Palm Beach Atlantic. Drake finished with sixteen saves against Florida Gulf Coast (53.3% save percentage), matching his sixteen save performance in the semifinals against No. 13 Reinhardt.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM Palm Beach Atlantic received four selections to the SELC’s All-Tournament team: senior attackman Nick Scalzo, sophomore midfielder Camden Baggs, senior defenseman Anthony Curra, and freshman faceoff specialist Scotty Brown. WHAT’S NEXT Palm Beach Atlantic now awaits the decision-making of the MCLA’s tournament selection committee. In Division 2, nine teams are awarded a berth to the national tournament for winning their conference (Florida Gulf Coast included), leaving seven at-large bids. The tournament field will be announced on Sunday, May 3, 2015.​