Merrimack Runs Away with NCAA D2 Men's Lax National Title at Gillette

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Foxborough, Mass. - It would have taken an act of god to keep the Merrimack men’s lacrosse team from hoisting the trophy as NCAA Division II champions, and that still might not have been enough.

One year after seeing their dreams slip away at Gillette Stadium, the Warriors returned to the same patch of earth and left no stone unturned, as they took apart Saint Leo 23-6 to claim the program’s first ever national title.

The 23 goals tied for the most ever in a national final regardless of division. The Warriors now share the record with 1977 Hobart and 1980 UMBC.

Massachusetts Talent Propels Merrimack to NCAA D2 Lax Title Game

After a decorated career at Longmeadow, which included an undefeated D2 state championship run, long pole Dan Cotnoir hopes to bring an NCAA D2 national championship to Merrimack. But the former Lancer is just one of many Massachusetts products hoping to lead the Warriors to victory in their home state.  Photo courtesy of Merrimack Athletics.

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Foxborough, Mass. - Sports are cruel.

Last year, the Merrimack men’s lacrosse team advanced to its first NCAA Division II title game, and had the lucky draw of playing in the Commonwealth at Gillette Stadium.

The Warriors let a lead slip away late and lost to Limestone.

This year, though, the Warriors are back in the title game, and return to Foxboro better than ever with a team getting contributions up and down the lineup from Bay State natives. Merrimack's second consecutive title game in Massachusetts will take place Sunday at 4 pm against No. 6 St. Leo.

Thanks to the wealth of local talent, coach Mike Morgan believes his group is capable of leaving Gillette Stadium victorious this season.

Roxbury Latin Alums Weitzel and Lowrie Prepare for NCAA Lax Final Four in Foxboro

Yale LSM Will Weitzel has helped the Bulldogs reach the NCAA lacrosse Final Four, and could see a familiar face in the championship game...   Photo courtesy of Yale Athletics.

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Foxborough, Mass. - Life is strange in how it connects and brings people back together.

Years after starring together on the lacrosse pitch at Roxbury Latin, Newton’s Will Weitzel and Foxboro’s Sean Lowrie are one win away from meeting each other for the NCAA Division 1 lacrosse national championship at Gillette Stadium.

Concord-Carlisle's Brozowski Hopes to Capture Another NCAA Lax Title With Maryland

Concord-Carlisle alum Nick Brozowski will again take the field for Maryland in the NCAA Lacrosse Final Four at Gillette Stadium, and he's dreaming of another national title.  Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics.

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Foxborough, Mass. - Last year Nick Brozowski had the ball in his stick as the clock ran out on the NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse national championship game.

The Concord native threw his stick, gloves, and helmet into the air at Gillette Stadium as he, and the Maryland lacrosse team, celebrated the program's first national title in 42 years.

Now a redshirt junior, Brozowski and the Terps are back in the Final Four in Foxboro, looking to cement their spot in Terrapin lore.

Hanover's Patrick Hannigan Leads RIT Lacrosse on Final Four Run

Hanover native Patrick Hannigan (30) led RIT to the brink of a national championship at Gillette Stadium. While things didn't end the way he had hoped, the former Indian star reflected fondly on his career in Rochester.

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Sports are hard. Being a captain is harder.

Being a captain of an elite team takes a special type of player. Not only are you expected to play at a high level, but you must lead your team on and off the field. Part player, part coach, being a team captain is not for the faint of heart.

Patrick Hannigan is captain material.

The Hanover native captained the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) men’s lacrosse team this season, and led it all the way to Sunday’s national title game at Gillette Stadium. The Tigers lost 15-7 to Salisbury, but the game had an added meaning for Hannigan, who finished his college career 45 minutes from his hometown.

Just the Beginning: The Future is Bright for Boston College Women's Lacrosse

BC made an unexpected run to the title game this season, but don't expect these Eagles to fade away any time soon.   Photo by John Quackenbos, via BCEagles.com

By Marisa Ingemi (@Marisa_Ingemi)

FOXBORO - With a title on the line, the Boston College Eagles women’s lacrosse team left it all on the field. Cutting the deficit to as close as a single tally in the second half, the Eagles just couldn’t get past the undefeated Maryland Terrapins.

While the Eagles will lose senior goalkeeper Zoe Ochoa, who returned to the contest in the second half Sunday, BC still has the pieces to make another memorable run next season.

“I think we're in good hands,” said head coach Acaica Walker. “The underclassmen have been taught a lot by the seniors. Just how to dig deep. How to come together, really, and a lot of adversity that we've seen this year. They were so good. They're such good leaders and I know our underclassmen are well battle tested on the field and off the field. So I'm looking forward to the future.”

Boston College Women's Lax Comes Up Just Shy in National Title Game

Norwell native and Noble & Greenough alum Kenzie Kent set a record for points in an NCAA tournament (37), and points in a single championship game (10), but it wasn't quite enough for the Eagles to top powerful Maryland.    Photo by John Quackenbos, via BCEagles.com

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

FOXBORO - Boston College had the best player on the field, but the undefeated Maryland Terrapins were the best team in the country, and showed it when they needed to.

The Eagles fought tooth and nail with the No. 1 team in the land, but couldn’t turn the corner as the Terps held on for a 16-13 win, claiming the Division 1 Women’s Lacrosse championship at Gillette Stadium. The game was played in front of a record tournament crowd of 11,668.

“I'm really proud of my team,” BC coach Acacia Walker said. “I think to take down Maryland is like slaying a dragon, and I think my girls fought until the very end, which is all I can ask of them.”