Marquette Wins Back-To-Back #BIGEASTmlax Championships, 10-9 Over Providence
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Marquette Golden Eagles defended their tournament title with a second consecutive 10-9 victory, this time over the No. 3 seed Providence Friars at Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium, winning their second BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse Championship Presented by Jeep in as many years. Marquette became the first No. 4 seed to win a BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
Last year in Denver, Marquette won by the same score to win their first ever title.
Providence made its first appearance in the championship title game and acted as hosts to a crowd of 2,398.
Tournament most outstanding player Cole Blazer made 11 saves in the victory after posting 12 stops and a goal in Marquette’s 11-8 upset victory over top-seeded and No. 2 Denver in the semifinals. Seniors Grant Preisler, Joe Dunn and Nicholas Eufrasio all joined Blazer on the all-tournament team from Marquette. From Providence, Ryan Schaffer, Jarrod Neumann and Tate Boyce earned all-tournament honors. Boyce had eight saves in Saturday’s loss, 16 in the semifinal victory over second-seeded Villanova.
The Golden Eagles (8-7) had to withstand a furious Providence rally in the waning minutes as the Friars cut what was a three goal Marquette lead to a single goal with 1:25 remaining. After a Providence faceoff victory, Marquette was able to force a turnover, but a failed clear gave the Friars the ball back with a chance to tie.
Marquette’s Eufrasio was called for a push after the failed clear, but Providence was unable to capitalize on an extra-man opportunity as time wound down.
Preisler posted his second two-goal game of the tournament to go along with a pair of assists, while Marquette’s Tanner Thomson and Ryan McNamara each also scored a pair for the Golden Eagles.
McNamara’s final goal that put Marquette ahead 10-7 with 4:04 left in regulation proved to be the game-winner and was also the 100th tally of his career. That goal capped a three-goal run that pulled Marquette out of a 7-7 tie midway through the fourth quarter.
Schaffer led the Friars (10-7) with a hat trick, while Brendan Kearns notched two goals and a pair of assists in Providence’s first title game appearance.
Providence posted the game’s first two goals and led 2-0 after 15 minutes of play before the Golden Eagles answered with four in a row to lead 4-3 at the half.
Marquette earned the BIG EAST’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championship and will await their next opponent in Sunday’s NCAA Selection Show on ESPNU at 9 p.m. ET. Ranked second in the country before this weekend’s championship, Denver will also wait to see if they earn an at-large berth and a potential home game.
Saturday’s title game will be replayed for fans on Tuesday, May 9 at 8 p.m. ET on FS2.
2017 BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse All-Tournament Team
Trevor Baptiste, Denver, Jr., FOS
Tyler Pace, Denver, Sr., M
Danny Sweeney, Villanova, Sr., D
Nick Testa, Villanova, So., G
Ryan Schaffer, Providence, Sr., A
Jarrod Neumann, Providence, Sr., D
Tate Boyce, Providence, So., GK
Nicholas Eufrasio, Marquette, Sr., M
Joe Dunn, Marquette, Sr., A
Grant Preisler, Marquette, Sr., A
Cole Blazer, Marquette, Jr., GK
Most Outstanding Player
Cole Blazer, Marquette, Jr., GK