MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Berry College men's lacrosse team defeated Centre College 9-6 on Friday evening, advancing to the team's first Southern Athletics Association (SAA) Championship game since 2015.

Chris Berchock led the team offensively, scoring a hat trick on seven shots. McKinley Gannon scored two on nine shots. The Vikings defense forced 11 turnovers and allowed just 11 shots on cage. Josh Baker went 10-for-18 on faceoffs, helping Berry to 36 ground balls. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Centre struck first off a goal from John Morrison, but Chris Berchock scored the equalizer with just over a minute and a half left in the first quarter off a dish from Luke Koferl.
• Berry then scored three unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead into the break.
• The Colonels scored first out of the half, but Gannon and Koferl each tallied minutes later to give Berry a 6-2 lead. 
• Luke Johnson scored with three seconds left in the third to cut the lead to 6-3.
• Berry went even with Centre in the fourth as each team scored three apiece.

BERRY STANDOUTS:

• Chris Berchock: 3 G, 7 SH, 4 SOG
• McKinley Gannon: 2 G, 9 SH, 4 SOG
• Justin Westbrook: 2 AST, 4 SH, 3 GB
• Noah Steiner: 1 G, 2 SH, 2 CT

UP NEXT:

Berry will face Rhodes College in the SAA Championship game on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET.