BURLINGTON, VT. – For the first time since 2015, the top two seeds will decide the men’s lacrosse title as No. 1 UAlbany and No. 2 Vermont posted wins in the semifinals on Thursday at UAlbany’s Casey Stadium.
In game one, No. 2 Vermont took down No. 3 UMBC, 10-8 by scoring the final five goals of the contest, while No. 1 UAlbany overwhelmed No. 4 Merrimack, 18-7.
UAlbany and Vermont will battle for the 2024 league title on Saturday, May 4 at 3 p.m. in a contest that will be nationally televised on ESPNU. The winner will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
#AEMLAX Semifinals Recap
Vermont 10, UMBC 8
- UMBC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening five minutes, thanks to a pair of goals from Brian Tregoning.
- Vermont answered with two goals over the next four minutes, however, the Retrievers tallied two more to finish the first with a 5-2 lead.
- The Catamounts tied the game up with a pair of goals in the second quarter for a 5-5 draw at the break.
- UMBC scored just 50 seconds into the third to take back the lead and added two more for an 8-5 advantage with 4:48 left.
- Vermont added one goal in final three minutes of the third and Charlie Pope made it 8-7 at 10:56.
- Following a penalty, the Catamounts scored back-to-back goals in just 14 seconds turn a deficit into a 9-8 lead.
- The Catamounts added one empty net goal for the final two-goal result.
- George Egan was dominant in the second half with 10 saves and finished with 15 overall in the contest.
UAlbany 18, UMBC 7
- UAlbany scored the first six goals of the game and dominated Merrimack en route to advancing to the championship game for the second-straight season.
- America East Rookie of the Year Ryan Doherty scored three of those tallies and finished with a game-high five scores and six points.
- Merrimack scored twice to make it 8-2 in the second quarter but the Great Danes got the last two of the half to take a 10-2 lead into the break.
- The Warriors, who were making their first-ever America East Championship appearance, scored five of the first eight goals of the second half.
- Trace Hogan’s shot with 2:57 left in the third made it 13-7 UAlbany.
- But UAlbany, the America East regular-season champion, scored the last five goals of the game to ice it.
- Silas Richmond, a first-team All-America East choice, tallied a game-high eight points on four goals and four assists.
The Great Danes are seeking their 10th league title and first since 2018 while the Catamounts are seeking their as a league member, aim for their third title in four years.
Visit Championship Central for complete streaming and live stats links as well as box scores, highlights and recaps following each round in addition to team information, tournament history and more.
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