DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre men's lacrosse continued their remarkable 2021 season Sunday, defeating Rhodes, 11-4, in the Southern Athletic Association Tournament Championship inside Farris Stadium.
 
It marks the second conference title for the program and first since 2014, and secures the SAA's automatic bid into the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
 
The Colonels (11-1) trailed the Lynx (5-4) early, but a big second quarter and stellar defense in the second half paved the way for the historic victory.
 
Will Hubbs was named MVP of the Tournament, and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Jack Shannon, Nolan Irey and Wills McCutcheon.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Winners of the last two SAA Tournaments, the Lynx came out strong and took advantage of some shaky play from the Colonels. Rhodes scored the first two goals and led 3-1 after one quarter.
- Hubbs put Centre on the board late in the first period, but Rhodes controlled the match with advantages at faceoff, shot attempts and ground balls.
- Everything changed in the second quarter, where the Colonels out-scored the Lynx 5-1.
- Anthony DiMichele opened the period with an unassisted score after starting a run from the X position.
- Rhodes got the tally back minutes later, but it proved to be the last goal the Lynx would score.
- Ridr Knowlton converted a transition goal after Will Hubbs forced a turnover midway through the quarter, and moments later assisted on a goal to Duncan MacDonald.
- Shannon and Hubbs both found the back of the net again before the halftime buzzer.
- Graham Robbins, a starting freshman defender, scored his first collegiate goal to open action in the third period.
- Nic Malubay made it 8-4 with an unassisted marker late in the frame.
- Knowlton delivered a man-up goal and Hubbs added two more in the fourth while Centre's defense stifled the Lynx and denied any comeback bid.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- McCutcheon's 20 saves were three shy of the program record in a SAA match, and four short of the overall team record. It marked a career-high for the junior, who totaled 11 saves while shutting our Rhodes in the second half.
- Centre had 24 successful clears on 26 attempts and committed no penalties.
- Hubbs finished with four goals on eight shots, adding an assist.
- Ian Hubbs and Will Morrison led Centre with six ground balls apiece. The elder Hubbs also paced the Colonels with four caused turnovers.
 
UP NEXT
Centre awaits its NCAA Tournament fate. The Division III men's lacrosse selection show is scheduled for May 9.