Saint Michael's College men's lacrosse team, seeded No. 5, prepares to face No. 4 Assumption University in the first round of the Northeast 10 Conference Championship on Saturday at 12 p.m. The Purple Knights enter with a record of 9-4 and are looking to secure their first semifinal spot since 2013. Ticket prices are set at $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children, while NE10 students get free entry. The match follows a competitive season where both teams have faced highly ranked opponents. This contest marks a crucial step in their quest for the championship, with the winner advancing to play top-seeded Adelphi University.

By the Numbers
  • Saint Michael's is 9-4 overall and ranks 19th in the national poll.
  • Assumption boasts a record of 10-4 and sits 16th nationally.
  • Saint Michael's ranks 4th in NCAA Division II for ground balls per game (41.9).
  • Noah Poirier leads in faceoff winning percentage at 66.5%, ranking 10th nationally.
Yes, But

While Saint Michael's has demonstrated success against ranked teams, they have also encountered consecutive losses to three highly ranked opponents, raising questions about their consistency leading into the playoffs.

State of Play
  • Saint Michael's defeated multiple nationally-ranked teams this season for the first time in history.
  • Assumption previously defeated the Purple Knights 11-10 in April.
  • Both teams have a history of competitive postseason encounters, with a split record.
What's Next

The winner of Saturday's match will advance to face No. 1 Adelphi in the semifinals next Wednesday, increasing the stakes for both teams.

Bottom Line

Saint Michael's must leverage their strong defense and faceoff capabilities to overcome Assumption and secure a milestone postseason advancement, aiming not only for a win but to prove their upward trajectory in conference play.