EASTON, Pa. – Program history was made on Tuesday night at Fisher Stadium as Lafayette men's lacrosse pushed past six-seeded Navy (9-5) in the Patriot League Tournament quarterfinal round. Tuesday's victory was the first Patriot League Tournament win in program history and it also marked the first 10-win season in team history. It was also the Maroon and White's first triumph over Navy since 2017.

The Leopards now prepare for their matchup at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals when they will take on No. 2 Boston U. in West Point, N.Y.

Senior captain Riley Sullivan and freshman midfielder Joseph Duggan were the offensive standouts for the Leopards, both notching three points in the outing. Sullivan put together three assists and Duggan finished the day with two goals and an assist. Lafayette's stout defense was also a major factor in the win, limiting Navy, which was averaging 11.6 goals per game, to just five goals.

Junior goalkeeper Joe Doherty also had a productive evening in net, matching his career high with 18 saves while also scooping up a team-high six ground balls.

The Maroon and White were firing on all cylinders to open the contest. Duggan started the scoring at the 13:50 mark of the first quarter off an assist from classmate Benjamin DiBattista. Lafayette proceeded to fire home four unanswered goals throughout the rest of the quarter, which were scored by Nicholas Blalock, DiBattista and two by senior Liam Sargent.

The Midshipmen got their offense rolling in the beginning of the second stanza after Jack Nichtern put Navy on the board (13:59). Carter Ash followed up with a goal just three minutes later (10:46) off an assist by Henry Tolker. Sophomore Billy Irish scored a behind-the-back goal moments later to restore a 6-2 Lafayette lead. However, Navy struck two more times in the final six minutes of the period and trailed 6-4 at the break.

Navy's Mac Haley made it a one-goal game straight out of halftime, scoring his only tally of the evening with 13:41 to go. Both sides battled in transition over the next four minutes, prior to the Leopards hopping back in the driver's seat. Blalock and Duggan recorded back-to-back goals with just less than 10 minutes remaining as they granted the hosts an 8-5 advantage.

Junior Jack Irish was the sole goal scorer in the fourth quarter and it was Sullivan who supplied him with the assist. Despite Navy's offensive push down the stretch, Lafayette's defense held strong, limiting the Midshipmen to just three shots on goal in the final quarter. At the final buzzer, the Maroon and White clinched a spot in the Patriot League Tournament semifinal.


To keep up with the Lafayette men's lacrosse team, follow its social media pages.

X/@LafayetteMLAX | Instagram/@lafayettemlax | Facebook/GoLeopards