ALBANY, N.Y. - For the first time since in league history, the No. 3 and 4 seeds will battle for the America East men's lacrosse title as No. 3 Vermont takes on No. 4 Hartford for the crown Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at Albany's Casey Stadium.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU and also available on WatchESPN with Chris Cotter (play-by-play) and Mark Dixon (analyst) on the call.
Championship Game Primer
- Third-seeded Vermont (9-7) and fourth-seeded Hartford (10-6) will meet in the conference championship game for the first time Saturday. It's the first time the No. 3 and 4 seeds will play for the championship.
- Vermont won its first-ever America East Championship game (0-4 previously) beating Stony Brook, 10-9, in the semifinals Thursday, its first win over the Seawolves in 17 all-time meetings.
- Hartford advanced to its third-ever America East title game with its 11-10 overtime win over fourth-ranked Albany in the semis.
- The win snapped Albany's 28-game win streak against conference foes dating back to 2012.
- The 10 wins are Hartford’s most since 2011 while Vermont's nine wins are its most since 2006.
- Vermont and Hartford have met once previously in the tournament. The Hawks beat UVM, 6-4, in the 2003 semifinals.
- Hartford captured its lone league title in 2011 while Vermont seeks its first crown
- The Catamounts hold a 20-11 all-time series edge and beat Hartford, 13-4, on April 23.
- Vermont features the America East Offensive Player of the Year, Ian MacKay, while Hartford has the Rookie of the Year, Dylan Jinks.
- America East teams have 11 NCAA wins all-time, including four since 2007 and a pair each of the last two years.
- America East has four Tewaaraton Award winners all-time, second only to the ACC.