MARIETTA, Ga. - Top-seeded Reinhardt left no doubt on Saturday as it claimed the 2024 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Lacrosse Tournament championship.
Reinhardt defeated No. 2 seed Keiser 17-7 to return to the top. Reinhardt had won every men's lacrosse tournament title until last year when Keiser collected the tournament crown.
The semifinal and championship rounds are being played at Lupo Family Field on the campus of Life in Marietta, Ga.
The Eagles used a strong second-quarter surge to seize control of the match. Ryan Rundle scored with 9:23 to go in the half to pull Keiser even at 4-all. However, Reinhardt netted the last five goals of the period to take a 9-4 lead into the half.
Keiser cut the deficit now to 10-6 midway through the third, but once again, Reinhardt responded with a string of goals in opening up a 15-6 advantage with 7:48 to play in the game. After the Seahawks scored with under seven minutes left, the Eagles tacked on two more goals to secure the 17-7 victory and the tournament championship.
Cameron Cochran fueled the Eagles' offense with two goals and seven assists, while Benji Shackleford added three goals and an assist.
Reinhardt goalkeeper Liam Wright recorded 13 saves in the title game and had 24 for the tournament, earning him Tournament MVP honors.
Joining Wright on the All-Tournament Team are Brady Hanak, Jason Marx, and JR Sess of Reinhardt; Kegan Hufford, Rundle, and JP Prather of Keiser; Michael Toohey and Will Rogers of Cumberlands; and Sam Henry and Chase Jackson of Webber International.
By virtue of winning the tournament title, Reinhardt receives an automatic berth to the NAIA Men's Lacrosse National Championship, which is set for May 8-11 in Savannah, Ga. The full bracket will be announced next week.
Saturday, April 20 - at Highest Seed
Game 1 - No. 3 Webber (14-2) def. No. 6 Point (8-10), 21-6 (box)
Game 2 - No. 4 Cumberlands (13-3) def. No. 5 SCAD Savannah (9-6), 21-6 (box)
Friday, April 26 - at Life in Marrietta, Ga.
Game 3 - No. 1 Reinhardt (13-0) def. No. 4 Cumberlands (13-4), 7-6 (OT) (box)
Game 4 - No. 2 Keiser (14-1) def. No. 3 Webber (14-3), 12-10 (box)
Saturday, April 27 - at Life in Marrietta, Ga.
Game 5 - CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - No. 1 Reinhardt (14-0) def. No. 2 Keiser (14-2), 17-7 (box)