Albany, UMBC, Binghamton and Stony Brook will play for the 2017 America East men's lacrosse title as the four teams will head to Albany for next week's conference championship. The tournament field and bracket were finalized this weekend as the Bearcats and Seawolves earned the final two bids joining the Great Danes and Retrievers in the field.
The championship, which will feature two teams making the tournament for a combined 31st time in 32 opportunities and two others making their first appearances since 2014, will be held at Albany's Casey Stadium for the third-straight year. Semifinal action takes place on Thursday, May 4 with #2 UMBC facing #3 Binghamton in the first semifinal at 4:30 p.m. followed by #1 Albany, the #7/6 team in the nation, battling #4 Stony Brook at 7:00 p.m. in the nightcap.
The two winners will face off for the league title on Saturday, May 6 at 12 p.m. with the winner earning a trip to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship, where America East teams have won five games in the past 10 seasons and 11 all-time.
#1 Albany (12-2, 6-0 AE)
- Earned its fifth-consecutive America East regular-season title.
- Seeded first for the fifth-consecutive year and eighth time overall.
- Completed its fifth-straight unbeaten conference schedule and has won 34 straight games conference games.
- Ranked 6th in the USILA Coaches' Poll and 7th in the Maverik Media Poll.
- Seeking fourth America East title in five years and eighth all time.
#2 UMBC (6-7, 4-2 AE)
- Earned the No. 2 seed with a 10-7 win over Vermont Saturday.
- Making first tournament appearance since 2014 under first-year head coach Ryan Moran.
- Six wins are UMBC's most since 2014.
- Seeking first championship since 2009 and fourth in school history.
#3 Binghamton (10-4, 4-2 AE)
- Qualified for the tournament with a 6-5 overtime win over Stony Brook Friday.
- Making first championship appearance since 2014 under first-year head coach Kevin McKeown.
- Binghamton's 10 wins and four conference wins are its most since 2014.
- Earned its first national ranking since 2006 this season.
- Aiming for second conference title game appearance (2004) and first league crown.
#4 Stony Brook (7-6, 3-3 AE)
- Reached the tournament by virtue of UMBC's win over Vermont Saturday.
- Had qualified for the championship each of its 16 years as a conference member.
- The Seawolves are 32-15 over the last three seasons, second only to Albany amongst America East teams with a .681 win percentage.
- Going for its first conference title since 2012 and fourth in program history.
Fans can purchase tickets by visiting Championship Central. For those who can't be in attendance, the entire championship will air on ESPN networks for the first time. The semifinals will air on ESPN3 while ESPNU will carry the championship game. For all the latest information on the America East Men's Lacrosse Championship, visit Championship Central.
2017 America East Men's Lacrosse Championship
at Albany's Casey Stadium
Semifinals – Thursday, May 4
#2 UMBC vs. #3 Binghamton, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
#1 Albany vs. #4 Stony Brook, 7:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
Final – Saturday, May 6
Semifinal Winners, 12 p.m. (ESPNU)