Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Lacrosse to Host Colorado Mesa in Opening Round of NCAA DII Men's Lacrosse Tournament
The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Lacrosse Team (16-2), ranked No. 5 in the nation, earned the top seed in South Region of the 2018 NCAA Division II National Tournament and will face fourth-seeded Colorado Mesa (17-2) in the quarterfinal round on Saturday, May 12, at Moretz Stadium, at 2:00 p.m.
Story Courtesy of LR Athletic Media Relations
Indianapolis, Ind. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Lacrosse Team (16-2), ranked No. 5 in the nation, earned the top seed in South Region of the 2018 NCAA Division II National Tournament and will face fourth-seeded Colorado Mesa (17-2) in the quarterfinal round on Saturday, May 12, at Moretz Stadium, at 2:00 p.m.
The Bears will be looking to avenge a 13-12 loss to the Mavericks on Saturday, February 24, at home. Colorado Mesa, No. 10 in the nation, is the fourth seed in the region and enters the contest on a 10-game winning streak.
The other South Region contest features second-seeded and No. 6 Saint Leo (14-2) against third-seeded and seventh-ranked Tampa (15-4) on the Lions' home field Saturday as well with a start time of 1:00 p.m.
Lenoir-Rhyne is making its second season straight appearance in the postseason. LR, the four-time South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Champions (2014, 2016-18), is 39-5 in its last 44 games and was ranked as high as No. 3 in the country.
The Bears are led by junior attacker Joe Buduo with a league-leading 59 goals and 87 points – both school-records – and senior long stick middle Collin Lett, the league player of the year. Lett has five goals, five assists and a team-leading 66 ground balls on the season.
Colorado Mesa is the 2018 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Regular Season and Tournament Champions and is led by Reece Callies with 41 goals, 24 assists and 65 total points.
This year's finalists will advance to Foxborough, Mass., for the championship game at Gillette Stadium, which will be played at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Sunday, May 27, and shown via web stream on NCAA.com.
INTERACTIVE BRACKET
PRINTABLE BRACKET
2018 NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship
Saturday, May 12 - Quarterfinals
SOUTH REGION
No. 4 Colorado Mesa (17-2) at No. 1 Lenoir-Rhyne (16-2), 2 p.m.
No. 3 Tampa (15-4) at No. 2 Saint Leo (14-2), 1 p.m.
NORTH REGION
No. 4 NYIT (13-4) at No. 1 Merrimack (15-1)
No. 3 Le Moyne (15-1) at No. 2 Seton Hill (16-1)
Saturday, May 19, or Sunday, May 20 – Semifinals
Colorado Mesa/Lenoir-Rhyne winner vs. Tampa/Saint Leo winner
NYIT/Merrimack winner vs. Le Moyne/Seton Hill winner
Sunday, May 27 – Finals
Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts, 4:00 p.m.