Babson, Hope Headed to First NCAA DIII Men's Quarterfinals

Babson is headed to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in program history following a 13-9 victory over St. Lawrence on Sunday. Babson fell behind 3-0 early in the game and trailed 8-7 entering the fourth quarter, but dominated the final 15 minutes of play to advance the final eight. Junior Seamus Rooney scored both of his goals in the fourth quarter and Braden Reilly's goal with 13:15 remaining gave the Beavers the lead for good. Beau Burns won 19 of 23 faceoffs for Babson and Ted Wilson scored four goals for St. Lawrence.

Bowdoin tied a school record with its 18th win of the season, beating Stevens 17-14 to advance to the quarterfinals for the third year in a row. The Polar Bears never trailed on Sunday, but the score was tied multiple times, the last with 8:11 remaining in the game when Joe Leone scored the second of back-to-back goals for Stevens to make it 14-14. Bowdoin's Sam Raye-Steiner then scored two straight goals and Casey Ryan added an insurance goal to put the game away. Raye-Steiner and Ryan each scored four goals for Bowdoin and Ryan added four assists. The eight points give him 115 for the season, tying the school record set last year by Will Byrne.

Christopher Newport goalie Mason Bellinger made two saves in the final 10 seconds of the game to preserve the Captains' 13-12 victory over Washington and Lee. Christopher Newport trailed 9-8 entering the final quarter, but poured in five goals in the fourth quarter to mount the comeback. Kevin Miller (4g, 4a) and Jackson Platner (3g, 3a) led the CNU offense and Bellinger finished with 12 saves. James Haley scored four goals for W&L.

Hope stayed perfect with its 20th win of the season, beating Bates 14-12 on Saturday night to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in program history. Gibson Heethuis had two goals and five assists and Hope used a four-goal run in the fourth quarter to rally for the victory. Heethuis, a Michigan native, has 132 points this season.

RIT beat Salisbury in a battle of championship-pedigree programs, knocking off the Seagulls 12-11 in overtime. Ryan Sanders scored six goals for the Tigers, including the game-winner in overtime after RIT goalie Alex Zborowski made a save at the other end after Salisbury won the faceoff to start overtime. RIT has played in five national championship games, including winning it all in 2021 and 2022, and is advancing to the quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive season. Salisbury shares the all-time lead with Hobart with 13 Division III titles, but will have to wait for another season to go after a record 14th title.

Two-time reigning national champion Tufts poured in 24 goals in a 24-10 victory over league rival Middlebury. The Jumbos had a 9-4 halftime lead and then blew the game open with an astounding 13 goals in the third quarter. Brooks Hauser (5g, 3a) and Jack Regnery (6g, 2a) each had eight points for Tufts, which improved to 19-1 with the victory. Regnery now has 103 points for the season, topping 100 points for the third straight season.

Wesleyan started and finished strong in a 14-10 victory over league rival Williams. The Cardinals jumped out to a 6-1 lead and then with Williams trailing just 10-8 entering the final quarter, Wesleyan scored four straight goals to open the final from to put the game away. Matt Morrow paced Wesleyan with four goals while Will Miller added a hat trick. Cardinal goalie Conor Selfridge made 12 saves to earn the win. Will Doran had three goals and three assists for Williams.

York ran its winning streak to 17 games with an 18-12 victory over Lynchburg. Junior Cory Bergmann matched his career-high with 10 points, scoring five times to go along with five assists for the Spartans. Nate Schilling added four goals and Davis Fisher had three goals and three assists for York. Will Rubley had a hat trick for Lynchburg.

NCAA DIVISION III MEN’S TOURNAMENT  
THIRD ROUND SCORES

Babson def. St. Lawrence 13-9
Bowdoin def. Stevens 17-14
Christopher Newport def. W&L 13-12
Hope def. Bates 14-12 (Saturday)
RIT def. Salisbury 12-11
Tufts def. Middlebury 24-10
Wesleyan def. Williams 14-10
York def. Lynchburg 18-12

NCAA DIVISION III MEN’S TOURNAMENT  
QUARTERFINALS

Games scheduled for May 16

Christopher Newport vs. Wesleyan
Bowdoin vs. Hope
York vs. Tufts
Babson vs. RIT