Bentley and Middlebury both won playoff games on the road to finalize the national men's DII Round of 16.
To see the entire Round of 16 bracket, go here: DII College Latest
Middlebury found out late this past week that if they beat Rhode Island on Friday they would play a playoff game on Sunday. Initially it looked as if Rhode Island or Vermont would be the team playing at Plymouth State on Sunday, but plans changed and Friday's Middlebury v Rhode Island game became a winner-take-all. The week before, Middlebury he defeated Vermont 19-12 to put themselves in position to take this playoff spot.
Two tries from Henry Kremer and two from Jake Feury saw Middlebury past Rhode Island 42-13. That win was sufficient, and Middlebury traveled to Plymouth State on Sunday. And then Jake Feury took over. Feury kicked two early penalty goals, and then intercepted a Plymouth State pass to score a try, which he converted. That made it 13-0. Plymouth State replied with a try to make it 13-7, and then opened the second half with a try to make it 13-12. Feury hit another penalty to make it 16-12, and then another to put the score at 19-12.
Both teams scored tries late in the game, and Middlebury was through 26-19.
Meanwhile, Bentley also won a Sunday playoff game. John Tascione scored a try and Niall Collins converted to make it 7-0. SUNY Cortland tied it up, and then Collins slotted a penalty to make it 10-7. Cortland scored a second try to take the lead at halftime, 12-10. Cortland extended that lead in the second half to 19-10, but then Tascione responded with a try and put Bentley within two at 19-17.
Late in the game, Mike Spiegel scored to put Bentley ahead, and one more try sealed it for the Massachusetts team 31-19.
"Cortland was tough and made some great tackles," said Bentley Head Coach Brian Pendergast. "They had a relentless forward attack but our guys stood tall and trusted each other to make the plays when we needed to. I am proud of their determination, work ethic, and teamwork."
So Bentley joins Southern Connecticut in the top 16.
Also in the final 16:
Rowan, Illinois State, Norwich, Coast Guard, UNC-Charlotte, UW-Whitewater, Minnesota-Duluth, Colorado School of Mines, Western State, North Dakota State, Sacred Heart, Furman, NC State, and Southern Connecticut.
