Manhattan is bound for the MAAC championship game after a decisive 10-5 win over Canisius.
The Jaspers scored three-straight goals to start and never let go of the lead to return to the title game for the first time since 2009. Manhattan won the league in 2002, its lone title.
It’s a good week for coach Drew Kelleher, who along with his wife Morgan welcomed their son Carson on Tuesday and was named the league’s coach of the year last Wednesday.
Kyle Gucwa had a hat trick and an assist, Liam Walshe had two goals and an assist, and Trevor Pelletier added a pair of goals. Brendan Krebs made 12 saves.
All of these teams have tremendous talents that show there are quality players outside of the ACC. Hereâs one player from every team worth watching. Note itâs not necessarily their best player, but someone who over the course of the year or their career has made an impression.
Air Force, Quentin Carlile, Jr., D He has an uncanny ability to knock down passes, and he brings it when the spotlight is brightest like last week vs. Richmond (5GB, 5CT), vs. High Point (3GB, 3CT), or at Duke (5GB, 2CT).
Army, Marcus Hudgins, Jr., D An opposing coach earlier in the year told me, âI knew he was good. I didnât realize he was that good.â He erases top matchups at close, played LSM earlier in his career, and will be one of the top defenders in the country by the time he finishes his four years.
Eight automatic qualifiers are up for grabs over the next week.
With the Patriot League Quarterfinals on Tuesday night, there s no reason to turn away from your laptop or TV for the next six days with the amount of action on much of it staggered across the day so you ll be able to see most finishes.
Here are our picks for conference champions a piece that s routinely become bulletin-board fodder on Championship Saturday.
America East
Terry Foy: UMBC
I’m picking the Retrievers because of a combination of home-field advantage, conference tournament experience, close game experience and the idea that defense wins in May (which, in the shot clock era, I’m not even certain is true any longer).
In a meeting of two of the top teams in the NEC, Saint Joe’s left no doubt, winning 13-5. Zach Cole went 20-of-22 at the face-off X, surpassing 400 wins on his career, and Evan Campbell (3G, 2A) led Hawk scoring. Saint Joe’s as decisive from start to finish, moving into sole possession of first place in the NEC at 6-0 (6-3 overall). That was a well-earned victory over a very good lacrosse team, said coach Taylor Wray. Every time you play the Bryant Bulldogs, you know you are going to be in for a really physical, highly-contested game. I thought our defense played terrific and executed the game plan well. The face-off game was highly tilted in our favor, which stopped Bryant from making their traditional runs, and we made some plays in transition that allowed us to separate. Evan Campbell was terrific on both ends of the field today, Josh Bosher had his best game of the season, and Zach Cole returns to form at the face-off. There s a lot to be proud of from this game, and a lo