APRIL 21, 2025 | composed by STEVE ULRICH

Welcome to D3 Lacrosse, devoted to NCAA Division III men’s and women’s lacrosse

👋  Good Morning D3 Laxers. Conference tournament time begins this week.

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TOP STORY
1. DeFazio in Rarified Air at Salisbury

“At a program with a history of success like Salisbury, standing out in the record book can be hard to do.

The Sea Gulls have amassed 13 NCAA championships from 41 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and 28 final fours. In program history, they have nearly 300 All Americans, and 11 different players have been named the USILA National Player of the Year.

Only one of those won the award twice: Jason Coffman. This spring, Coffman could get some company. John DeFazio has a chance to be the second player ever at Salisbury to be named Player of the Year twice.”

» Field Awareness. “Coffman’s accomplishments, and maybe soon DeFazio’s, are impressive considering names like Eric Martin, Chase Caruso, Sam Bradman and recently Cross Ferrera are just a small sample of the other winners to take home the award a single time. DeFazio won an NCAA title with Salisbury in 2023 and was on the losing side of one his freshman year in 2021.”

» Why It Matters. “On the field, DeFazio’s versatility is what sets him apart. On a given day, he might cover any number of the opposing team’s players, depending on what will most disrupt their offense. He’ll also take faceoff wings and can push the ball in transition as a threat on offense. “He’s a multi-dimensional player,” head coach Jim Berkman said. “He can do a lot from the defensive end that not many people can do. He’s on the wing on a faceoff; he’s second to none in ground ball play. I don’t remember a kid being that good with a pole getting the ball out of crowds. Sometimes he’s up top, sometimes down low, depending on the matchup. He can do whatever needs to be done to negate the other team’s strength.”

» Worth Noting. “DeFazio is nearing the end of his fifth year at Salisbury. He’s been a captain before, and he’s now also serving as a steward of the culture, setting examples every day. For DeFazio, the competitive nature doesn’t care what time of year it is. He’s giving maximum effort all the time. In that time, DeFazio has become not just a leader, but another coach on the field. He spends time coaching at the youth level in his hometown of Mountain Lakes, N.J.”

» Quotable. “He’s like a coach on the field, and he wants to be a coach,” Berkman said. “He’s done a lot with Mountain Lakes and their youth programs. People really respect the knowledge that he has. I give John a lot of credit for what he does. I respect his opinions. If he has something to say, he feels like he can say it to me or one of the other coaches.”

» Continue Reading

TOP GAME (M)
2. Frantic Finish Powers Titans Past Bluejays

Trailing 11-7 with 9:40 remaining, Illinois Wesleyan stormed back to score the game’s final five goals, including the game-winner by Bob Boone with :12 remaining to lift the Titans (11-2, 3-0) past #15 Elmhurst, 12-11, and into first place in the CCIW. Sam Weinberg tied the game on an unassisted tally with 61 seconds remaining, setting the stage for a frantic finish.

Tony Vasquez won the ensuing faceoff for the Bluejays (10-2, 1-1) and the offense found leading scorer Eli Spence who unloaded a shot that was saved by IWU keeper Colin Tervo with 36 ticks left. A successful clearing attempt left the ball in the crosse of Noah Dretkza who found Boone open for the game-winner.

With the victory, the Titans clinched at least a share of the CCIW regular-season title and can secure the outright crown with a win against Carroll on Saturday.

» Read More

TOP GAME (W)
3. Randolph-Macon Rallies Late to Subdue Shenandoah

Randolph-Macon scored in the final seconds of regulation to force extra time, then broke Shenandoah’s heart with a goal in overtime to down the Hornets, 13-12.

Goals by SU’s Ainsley Buckner, Ayla Jantz, and Sofia Albi gave the visitors a 12-11 advantage with 51 seconds remaining. A shot from the Jackets’ Mittselstadter was saved but Maxwell ran down the loose ball and fed Lilly Fowler who tied the game with just three ticks left on the clock.

After a scoreless first OT period, Fowler found Cami McNeally open and the sophomore buried the shot to give R-MC (12-4, 7-2) the hard-earned victory.

Emily Ransom had a hat trick for Shenandoah (11-5, 7-2) while Fowler led the Yellow Jackets with two goals and four assists.

» Game Recap

FEATURE
4. Jonas Has Bulldogs Knocking on MIAA Title Door

by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel

“Michael Jonas knew his Adrian College lacrosse team could take a big step this season - and knew he would have to be in the middle of it.

The senior from Holland rose to the challenge and has orchestrated one of the nation's most prolific offenses.

Jonas, a West Ottawa graduate, leads the NCAA Division III in points (98) and goals (60) this season, breaking a plethora of school records along the way.”

» Of Note. “Jonas holds the Adrian College records for career goals, assists, points, shots on goal and games started. He also has the single-season goals, points and shots on goal marks and the single game points record with 12.”

» Why It Matters. “Jonas is one of several local players in the MIAA and at Division III lacrosse programs around the country. The past few years have seen a growth in lacrosse players from the area headed to the college ranks, something Jonas hopes continues.

» What They’re Saying. "It is incredibly important. Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S.," Jonas said. "People here don't always know the success on the West side of the state and the growth that has been huge. It is awesome to see so many college players from the West side."

» Keep Reading

ROUNDUP (M)
5. Around the Country

Region I (CNE, GNAC, LEC, NESCAC, NEWMAC). #2 Tufts (13-0, 9-0) remained unbeaten, getting hat tricks from Garrett Kelly and Jack Regnery on its way to a 14-5 win at #7 Amherst. Patrick Fitzgerald had a 4-1 performance as #5 Bowdoin (12-1, 8-1) got past #9 Wesleyan, 14-10. In the NEWMAC, Springfield (8-6, 6-0) scored twice in the final period to break open an 8-8 tie after three and turn back Salve Regina (11-4, 4-2), 10-8. In the CNE, #25 Endicott (12-3, 7-0) had 19 different players score goals in a 25-7 victory against Curry. Around the GNAC, Rivier improved to 12-1 as the Raiders downed Anna Maria, 19-1. Matt Hudson’s overtime goal lifted Colorado College (8-6) past UMass Boston, 14-13, in non-conference play.

Region II (E8, Liberty, NAC, Skyline, SUNYAC, UEC). St. John Fisher (11-4, 7-0) took over sole possession of first place in the Empire 8 with a 14-11 win over neighboring rival Nazareth (10-5, 6-1). Brady Mason had four goals and three assists for the Cardinals. Around the Liberty League, #3 RIT (15-1, 6-0) remained atop the standings with a 14-5 home win vs. #21 St. Lawrence. Clifford Gaston had six goals for the Tigers, while Alex Zborowski made 15 saves. Trailing 10-6 with 6:59 remaining, Ithaca (9-7, 3-3) stormed back with five unanswered tallies including the game-winner from Lucas Proctor with :11 left to down Clarkson, 11-10. The SUNYAC showdown is set for Wednesday as #14 Cortland (13-2, 5-0) and Oswego (9-3, 5-0) posted wins over Potsdam and Plattsburgh, respectively. In the North Atlantic, Thomas (4-9, 3-1) set up next weekend’s showdown with Maine Maritime (7-5, 4-0) for first place with a 12-11 win over Husson. Charlie Major-Foster had a 4-1 day for the Terriers. Around the Skyline, Sean Larkin and Drew Palladino each scored six goals as Manhattanville drilled St. Joseph’s (L.I.), 29-4.

Region III (AEC, Centennial, Coastal, Landmark, MACC, MACF). #8 Gettysburg (11-3, 7-0) held onto first in the Centennial with an easy 16-5 win vs. Washington College. Jack Dunleavy scored four times with two helpers for the Bullets. Franklin & Marshall (11-4, 5-2) went on the road and defeated #22 Swarthmore (11-4, 4-3), 14-12. Dillon Mannix struck four times for the victors. #1 Salisbury (16-0, 5-0) rolled past Montclair, 26-9, to remain atop the Coastal. In the MAC Commonwealth, #11 York (12-3, 5-0) stayed in first place with a 19-8 win vs. Widener. Nate Schilling had a 5-2 game. Max Racich went off for five goals and six assists as #10 Stevenson (11-4, 4-1) routed Messiah, 25-9. On the Freedom side, Stevens (11-3, 5-0) took care of Arcadia, 14-6, to take sole possession of first place. Tommy Robertozzi scored five goals with two assists for the Ducks. In the Landmark, Catholic showed little mercy on Juniata, blanking the Eagles, 30-0.

Region IV (OAC, ODAC, PAC, SAA, USA South). Rhodes (11-4, 6-0) secured the regular-season title and top seed for the SAA tournament with a 19-7 win at Hendrix. Drew Downes had 4-1 for the Lynx. Collin Willits scored five times as Ohio Northern (12-4, 7-1) downed John Carroll (8-6, 6-2), 14-7, for second place in the OAC. Eighteen different players found the back of the net as Roanoke (12-4, 8-1) routed Virginia Wesleyan, 35-8, and #12 Washington and Lee (12-3, 8-0) shut out Averett, 28-0, in ODAC play. It was a day for lopsided scores, as Westminster (8-7, 3-3) had three players with 10+ points in blasting Thiel, 38-4. Gavin Jones led the way with 10-6. In the USA South, Piedmont (10-4, 7-1) and Methodist (10-6, 6-2) both reached the 10-win plateau with victories against Greensboro and Southern Virginia, respectively.

Region V (CCIW, HCAC, MIAA, NCAC, NACC). #20 Ohio Wesleyan (11-3, 6-0) and #13 Denison (11-4, 6-0) are on track for a NCAC first-place clash next Saturday in Granville. The Bishops defeated Oberlin, 19-12, while the Big Red rolled past Wittenberg, 21-6. Aurora (10-5, 10-0) clinched the top spot in the NACC with a 22-4 win at Marian. Connor Stockton had 3-3 for the Spartans. Fourteen goals were scored in the final 15 minutes as Albion (9-7, 4-1) held off Calvin (6-9, 3-3), 15-14, in MIAA play. Around the Heartland, Hanover (10-3) reached double digits in wins with a 17-3 triumph over Earlham.

» Conference Standings

ROUNDUP (W)
6. Around the Nation

Region I (GNAC, LEC, NAC, NESCAC). #1 Middlebury (14-0, 9-0) made it 65 straight victories with a 19-10 triumph at Trinity. Maggie Coughlin had 3-4 for the Panthers. #2 Tufts (13-1, 8-1) stayed right on Midd’s heels with a 20-9 win vs. #8 Amherst. Maddie Hunt scored six times as Plymouth State (12-2, 6-0) stayed in front of the Little East pack with a 21-14 win at Eastern Connecticut (11-4, 3-3). Norwich (14-1, 6-0) and Emmanuel (10-6, 5-1) set up Tuesday’s showdown for first place in the GNAC North with wins vs. Rivier and New England College, respectively.

Region II (CNE, MASCAC, NEWMAC). #25 Babson (12-2, 9-0) clinched a share of the NEWMAC regular-season crown with a 16-11 win vs. #19 Springfield (12-3, 7-2). Kathleen Murphy had 14 saves for the Beavers. Ashley Thomas had 5-4 as MIT (9-7, 8-1) remained right on Babson’s heels with a 24-5 win at Smith. Endicott (12-4, 7-0) clinched at least a tie for the CNE regular-season title with a 21-7 win at Curry. Bailey Sheehan had four goals and five assists for the Gulls. In the MASCAC, Framingham State (8-6, 4-0) remained unbeaten in league play with a 10-8 triumph at Bridgewater State (11-4, 3-2). Hailey Baker had 5-2 for the Rams.

Region III (E8, Liberty, NJAC, Skyline, SUNYAC). #7 St. John Fisher (14-0, 7-0) seized control of the Empire 8 race with a 16-7 win at Nazareth (9-6, 5-2). Emma Biel had five goals for Fisher. #6 Rowan (13-1, 3-0) moved into a first-place tie with TCNJ in the NJAC with a 19-4 win at Kean. Trish Gillen had a goal and seven assists for the Profs. The #17 Lions (10-4) fell to #18 Colorado College (16-3) in non-conference action. Charlotte Iller and Sofia Mancino each had three goals and two assists for the Tigers.

#21 William Smith (11-3, 8-0) remained two games in front of second-place Ithaca in the Liberty League with a 17-6 victory against Rochester. Katherine Murray had 4-1 for the Herons. In the Skyline, Farmingdale (7-7, 6-0) remained tied with Merchant Marine atop the standings with a 20-1 victory vs. Purchase. Carly Livingston had three goals and 12 assists for the Rams. Alexis Hill had 3-3 as Oswego (12-2, 8-0) kept its unblemished mark in the SUNYAC with a 14-7 win vs. New Paltz (11-4, 6-2).

Region IV (AEC, Centennial, Landmark, MACC, MACF). #3 Gettysburg (13-2, 5-1) and #4 Franklin & Marshall (13-2, 6-0) registered wins against Swarthmore and Washington College, respectively, in the Centennial. Julia Daly had 6-1 for the Bullets, while Lauren Pittman tallied five times for the Diplomats. Katherine Hunsicker scored seven times as Moravian (10-6, 6-2) reached the double-digit mark in wins with a 22-9 triumph vs. Lycoming in Landmark action. #14 York (12-3) kept rolling along in the MAC Commonwealth with an 18-6 win at Widener. Sydney Mentzer had a 5-1 day for the Spartans. In non-conference play, Stevens (11-4) defeated Mary Washington (10-5) by a 14-7 count. Emily Leiby scored five times for the Ducks.

Region V (C2C, ODAC, SAA, USA South). Fourth-quarter goals from Avery Dunbar and Alexandra Parker powered #9 Salisbury (11-4, 1-0) past Christopher Newport, 10-9, in C2C action. #12 Sewanee (15-0, 5-0) secured the SAA regular-season title and top seed for the tournament with a 20-7 thrashing of Centre. Sally Herrington scored six goals for the Tigers. Meredith (15-2, 9-0) won the USA South regular-season title with a 25-3 rout of Brevard. Reese Walker handed out nine assists for the Avenging Angels.

Region VI (AMCC, HCAC, NCAC, OAC, PAC, UEC). #10 Wooster (15-1, 5-0) and Denison (10-4, 4-0) prepared for Tuesday’s first-place showdown in the NCAC with wins. The Scots defeated Wittenberg, 15-5, while the Big Red bested Oberlin, 18-11. John Carroll improved to 14-0, 6-0 with a 20-11 victory against Ohio Northern. The #11 Blue Streaks can clinch the outright OAC crown with a win at Mount Union on Wednesday. The Purple Raiders (11-4, 5-1) downed Capital, 24-12, as Eden Kesler and Ella Nejad each had six goals. Mya Bolinda had 4-4 as Washington & Jefferson (9-4, 7-1) remained a game behind Grove City in the PAC with a 23-2 win over Bethany. St. Mary’s MD (8-7, 4-0) clinched the United East regular-season title with a 19-6 win at Bryn Athyn.

Region VII (CCIW, MIAA, NACC, NWC, SCIAC, WIAC). #15 Pomona-Pitzer (13-2, 10-0) solidified its hold on the top spot in the SCIAC with a 15-6 victory over Sixth Street rival Claremont-M-S Sydney Landauer had 4-3 for the Sagehens. Carroll (10-3, 4-0) clinched a share of the CCIW regular-season title with a 17-6 win at North Central. Abby Tubbs led the Pioneers with seven goals.

Hope (9-5, 5-0) and Calvin (11-3, 5-0) remained on track to settle the MIAA regular season crown on Thursday with wins. The Dutch downed Albion, 18-5, while the Knights took care of St. Mary’s IN, 18-2. Morgan Bethard had 5-3 for Calvin. Lake Forest (11-4, 8-0) remained spotless in NACC action with a 14-9 win at Cornell College. Abby Meyer had 4-3 for the Foresters. Whitman (8-4, 4-1) took over second place in the NWC with an 18-15 triumph over Willamette (7-6, 4-2). Lola McConaghy had 6-1 for the Blues.

» Conference Standings

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