NEW YORK – The bracket for the 2022 BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse Championship presented by Jeep was solidified late Friday night, with just one game remaining in the regular season on Saturday. Entering the day, No. 2 Georgetown, No. 19/18 Denver, RV Villanova and Marquette knew they were postseason bound; however, all four seeds were left to be accounted for.
In the match to decide the top seed in the tournament, Georgetown traveled to Villanova Stadium to face off against the Wildcats in the regular season finale. Winning its ninth consecutive game, the Hoyas moved past Villanova, 13-7, to secure the first outright BIG EAST regular season title in program history. The Hoyas not only clinched the No. 1 seed in the BIG EAST Championship, but will serve as host of the Semifinals on May 5 and final on May 7. Georgetown enters the Championship looking to secure its fourth consecutive BIG EAST Championship.
In Friday night’s tilt, Georgetown (13-1, 5-0 BE) was once again led by the nation’s leading scorer Dylan Watson, who notched a quintet of goals and six points in the triumph. In addition, Connor Morin found the back of the net four times, while Graham Bundy, Jr., notched a co-game-high six points (2g, 4a). In goal, Owen McElroy faced 18 shots on target and made 11 saves in the outing.
Villanova (8-5, 3-2 BE) was led by Matt Campbell’s four points (1g, 3a), while Brett Baskin notched a pair of goals. In net, Will Vitton made 14 saves against 44 shots and 27 on target.
In the latter portion of Friday’s two-game slate, Denver hosted Marquette under the lights at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Led by a strong defensive effort, Denver earned a 16-8 victory to lock up the No. 2 seed in the BIG EAST Championship.
At the half, Denver (9-5, 4-1 BE) held a commanding lead, 10-3, it would not look back on, with the Pioneers limiting the Golden Eagles (4-10, 2-3 BE) to just five shots on target in the opening 30 minutes. Overall, Denver outshot Marquette, 48 to 37, while Alex Simmons (four points) and Jack Hannah (five points) led the way offensively for the Pioneers with both notching three goals.
The BIG EAST Championship will open Thursday, May 5 at Cooper Field in Washington, D.C., with No. 3 seed Villanova facing off against No. 2 seed Denver for a spot in the title game. The game will air on CBS Sports Network at 5:30 p.m. ET.
The second semifinal will be hosted by Georgetown against No. 4 seed Marquette. The game will also air on CBS Sports Network with a projected 8:30 p.m. face off.
Semifinal winners will meet on May 7 to decide the conference champion and earn the league’s automatic bid into the 2022 NCAA Championship. The BIG EAST final will air live on CBSSN at 4:30 p.m.
On Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET, the BIG EAST men’s lacrosse regular season will conclude with St. John’s (2-10, 0-4 BE) hosting Providence (5-8, 0-4 BE) at DaSilva Memorial Field.
2022 BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse Championship
Presented By Jeep
Semifinals – May 5 – CBSSN
No. 3 seed Villanova vs. No. 2 seed Denver, 5:30 p.m.
No. 4 seed Marquette at No. 1 seed Georgetown, 8:30 p.m.
Final – May 7 – CBSSN
Semifinal Winners, 4:30 p.m.
Times subject to change – All times Eastern – Semifinals and Finals to be hosted by Georgetown