Marist became the first team to officially punch its ticket for the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship tournament, defeating Siena 12-7 to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title in Riverdale, N.Y.
The third-seeded Red Foxes (10-7) used offense to fuel their MAAC tournament run, including a 29-19 win over Quinnipiac in the quarterfinals, but it was defense that ruled the day on Saturday.
Marist goalie Daniel O’Meara made 12 saves while allowing just seven goals and the Marist defense held the Saints scoreless for a period of more than 19 minutes in the second and third quarters and then again for a stretch of more than 17 minutes in the second half.
Joshua Balcarcel had a team-high four points on three goals and an assist for Marist, including a full-field run for an unassisted goal to start the fourth quarter. That momentum goal was part of a five-goal spurt that broke the game open after Siena had pulled to within 7-5 late in the third quarter. Jamison Embury also had a hat trick for the Red Foxes.
Siena (9-7) was led by Travis Fry and Zac Schuette with two goals each and Schuette had a pair of assists.
Marist, which won its first MAAC title since 2019, will enter the NCAA tournament on a six-game winning streak.
