Box Score VANCOUVER, B.C. – For the moment, the immediate pain of a disappointing loss will rule the emotions of #20 Argo lacrosse, but the course of time will leave almost exclusively positive memories of the 2017 season. A historic season most likely ended for UGF with a 16-6 loss to #23 University of Montana in the PNCLL Semifinals.
 
"We certainly exceeded expectations this year. I think we learned a lot and I think we got better," UGF Head Coach Fred Boekel said. "I also think we learned that we still have a long way to go in order to get to where we want to be. But to get to the playoffs and to win a game in the playoffs, particularly for these seniors was great."
 
Context and history proved to be more interesting than the game itself. The Argos entered the contest on a six game winning streak that including four wins over ranked teams, and the program's first playoff game and win, a 12-9 victory of #25 Southern Oregon the previous day.
 
The last team to beat the Argos was the UM Griz in the annual Copper Cup. It was the disappointment of the team's 14-5 loss to Montana that motivated UGF's rally in the second half of the season. Not only did the Argos want to avenge that loss, but it also was hoping for its first win in program history over the in-state rival.
 
Based on season trends, a high scoring game would play into UM's hands, while a defensive battle would be more in line with UGF's style. Through the first 15 minutes, the pace of play favored the Argos.
 
Both teams struggled to score early on but junior attack Josh Smith, fresh off a 7 goal game against SOU, drew first blood with an unassisted effort over 12 minutes into the game. Montana quickly answered with its first goal to tie the game up at 1 all through 15 minutes.
 
The low scoring and the balance wore off in the second stanza. Montana scored the first 2 goals of the period, and the last two, broken up only by Smith's second goal of the game.
 
As the game wore on, it became clearer and clear that the Argos were running out of gas. The fatigue and injuries gathered in the previous day's game against Southern Oregon, which was preceded by a two-day bus drive, was a foe, Montana didn't have to battle, having earned first round bye as the 1-seed out of the PNCLL North.
 
"To be quite honest, we were pretty tired from yesterday, and I think that was a big factor as the game wore on," Boekel said. "We played dead even in the first quarter, and even though we gave up a few goals in the second quarter I thought the play was pretty close. Fatigue was definitely a factor down the stretch."
 
The fatigue factor started to show in the third quarter, as did some injury problems. All game long UGF's top defender and second leading scorer, sophomore Chase Clark, battled through a hand injury that kept him from contributing much on offense. Then in the third quarter, the team's top faceoff man, freshman Dante Duran, went out with an injury and things slid from there.
 
Montana scored 5 goals in the third quarter, while UGF got 2, but from Smith. The fourth quarter was more of the same, with the Griz scoring 6 goals and UGF getting another 2, though those were from sophomore Kobe Johnson.
 
Smith led the team with all but 2 of the Argo's goals, giving him 111 goals in the team's two playoff games.
 
The Argos still have a small, but possible shot at an at-large bid to the MCLA National Tournament. If they don't make it in, their season will end with a program best record of 10-4 (3-2).