DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's lacrosse is back in the Southern Athletic Association Tournament Championship for the first time since 2016, defeating Berry, 10-7, in Friday's semifinal inside Farris Stadium.
The Colonels (10-1) will make their third appearance in the SAA title match, defeating the visiting Vikings (5-4) behind a gritty all-around effort.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Berry's defense stymied the Colonels early on, but eventually
Anthony DiMichele put the home side on the board with a goal midway through the first.
Will Hubbs took two defenders with him and fed DiMichele for the score.
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Ridr Knowlton scored later in the quarter as Hubbs delivered another assist.
- On the other end, the Colonel defense was stout in front of keeper
Wills McCutcheon. Berry took 11 shots in the opening 15 minutes with just one being on target.
- The Vikings got one back early in the second, but
Jack Shannon answered soon after with an unassisted goal despite absorbing a big hit.
- On Centre's next possession, DiMichele found
Nic Malubay in the middle of the Berry defense for a goal. Malubay doubled his total minutes later, and Centre carried a 5-1 lead into the break.
- Malubay tallied a hat trick early in the third quarter, but the visitors reeled off three in a row to gain momentum and pull within 6-4.
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Chase Poplin stopped the run with an unassisted score late in the period. DiMichele and
Padraic Dermody found the back of the net early in the fourth to give Centre some breathing room.
- The Vikings notched three in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as Shannon scored again and the Colonels held on for the victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Ian Hubbs matched the program record with four caused turnovers in a conference tournament game. He also added a team-high six ground balls as Centre finished with a narrow 29-26 edge in the category.
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Dylan Croft won 15 of 21 faceoffs for the Colonels.
- Centre held Berry to a 1-for-5 mark on man-up chances.
- McCutcheon had five saves in-goal while playing all 60 minutes.
UP NEXT
Centre hosts Rhodes Sunday at 1 p.m. in the SAA Championship. It will be the third conference tournament finale for the Colonels and the first against the Lynx
