DANVILLE, Ky.- On Sunday afternoon, the Colonels returned to Andy Frye Stadium to host Sewanee in the 2024 Men's Lacrosse Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Conference Championship game. After a competitive four-quarter duel, the reigning champions, Centre men's lacrosse, downed the Tigers with an identical score to last year's championship game, winning by a score of 10-9. 
 
The Gold & White will continue their campaign in the NCAA DIII Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. 

HIGHLIGHTS
- The Tigers initiated the game early, finding the back of the net just 45 seconds in. Midway through, Ridr Knowlton evened the score with the help of Paxton Brown. Minutes later, Miguel Sayers doubled the deficit with an unassisted score. Sewanee closed the quarter's scoring with seconds left on the clock, returning the game to a tie at 2-2 entering the next period. 
- The Colonels took control in the second frame, outscoring the Tigers 3-0. Max Speers initiated the run less than a minute in while David Caldwell further stretched Centre's lead with a man-up goal in the fifth minute. Knowlton eventually closed the half with the assist from Ryan Black, giving Centre a three-point edge entering halftime.
- Out of the break, the Tigers tallied the first score of the half, and for much of the period, the two squads answered one another point for point. Caldwell and Black both found the back of the net during the trading game. With four minutes left to go, Sewanee broke the pattern with two successive goals to bring them within one heading into the final frame.
- The Tigers continued their run into the fourth, tying it up with the first goal of the quarter. Seconds later, the Colonels forced a turnover, turning a textbook transition up field where Knowlton connected with Black for a perfectly executed behind the back goal. With two minutes to go, the Tigers tied it back up at 9-9. With just 30 seconds remaining in regulation play, Graham Robbins forced a crucial turnover, allowing Gavin Fields to scoop the ground ball on Sewanee's offensive end. Running it coast to coast, the long stick senior tallied the game winning goal, securing Centre's second straight SAA Championship Title. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Knowlton led the game in goals with three, adding one assist. He and Black tied for the game's leader in points with four each.
- Caldwell and Croft tied for the Colonels' leader in ground balls with four each. 
- In the crease, Avi Leffler and Hayden Burns shared time. Together the two stopped 12 shots and led Centre to 19-27 clears. 
- Robbins led the Gold & White in caused turnovers, one directly correlating to the game winning goal.

2024 SAA All-Tournament Team
SAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, from Centre, #50 Gavin Fields
Centre, #9 Ridr Knowlton
Centre, #22 Graham Robbins
Centre, #38 Ryan Black
Sewanee, #2 Drew Perun
Sewanee, #8 Jack Selner
Sewanee, #45 Greg Ix
Berry, #5 Tyler Freilich
BSC, #1 Cameron Herd
Rhodes, #11 Dylan Farley
Hendrix, #18 Jake Nelson

UP NEXT
Men's lacrosse will advance to the 2024 NCAA DIII Men's Lacrosse National Tournament. For all schedule updates, head to Centrecolonels.com .