UMass Upsets Minnesota in NCAA Tournament Overtime Thriller

Fargo, North Dakota — The University of Massachusetts Minutemen stunned the University of Minnesota with a thrilling overtime victory, eliminating the top-seeded Gophers from the NCAA Tournament on March 27, 2025. UMass’s Aydar Suniev scored the decisive goal in the extra period, securing a spot in the regional finals against Western Michigan.

After a dramatic contest that began nearly 90 minutes late due to an earlier double-overtime game, the Minutemen found themselves in a fast-paced battle against the Gophers. Minnesota first struck with a goal by Jimmy Snuggerud, but UMass quickly countered with a Larry Keenan goal, equalizing at 1-1.

The first period saw Minnesota capitalizing on a subsequent scoring opportunity, taking a 2-1 lead with a late goal from Brody Lamb. Tensions ran high, with both teams creating chances but struggling to capitalize in the tight matchup.

In the second period, Minnesota extended their lead to 3-1 after Connor Kurth scored midway through. UMass was in danger of falling behind but mounted a comeback effort. Aydar Suniev responded in the third period, cutting Minnesota’s lead to 3-2, showcasing the team’s resilience.

After a goaltending change for Minnesota, UMass capitalized on their newfound momentum. Just a minute after the shift, UMass scored the equalizer, thanks to Daniel Jencko’s timely goal, tying the contest at 3-3.

Francesco Dell’Elce then gave UMass a short-lived lead with just under five minutes remaining, but Minnesota’s Snuggerud once again found the net, forcing the game into overtime with a 4-4 score.

The overtime period featured few chances from both squads until a controversial play arose; a potential tripping incident against Minnesota went uncalled, allowing UMass to counter. At the 15:11 mark, Suniev completed his brilliant night with his second goal to finalize the score at 5-4.

“We knew we had a chance, and we stayed composed throughout,” Suniev said post-game. “It’s all about believing in each other and pushing through,” he added, emphasizing his team’s determination.

With this victory, UMass advances to face the fourth-seeded Western Michigan Broncos in the regional finals, set for March 30 at 5:32 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

UMass’s goalie Michael Hrabal played a crucial role, recording key saves throughout the game, particularly in the second period where he faced considerable pressure. The 6’7” sophomore is already considered a prospect, having shown remarkable performance in this high-stakes environment.

“Michael has been our backbone all season,” said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. “His ability to perform under pressure is invaluable.”