DENVER – The top two seeds secured victories Thursday night at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
 
In the first semifinal game of the BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Championship Presented by JEEP, No. 1 seed Georgetown took down No. 4 seed Marquette, 19-8. Immediately following, No. 2 seed Villanova held on to beat No. 3 seed Providence, 16-14.
 
Villanova and Georgetown will meet in the championship game for the second consecutive season Saturday at 3 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network. The winner will earn the conference’s automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament.
 
No. 1 Georgetown 19, Marquette 8
 
Georgetown (10-4, 4-1 BE) rolled out to a 6-3 halftime lead, before opening up the second stanza with a 7-2 third quarter to take a commanding lead against Marquette (7-7, 2-3).
 
Leading the Hoya offense, Fulton Bayman scored a hat trick and dished out five assists, while Lucas Dudemaine tallied a career-high four goals. Overall, 10 different Hoyas found the back of the net. Defensively, Anderson Moore made seven saves with a .538 save percentage.
 
For the Golden Eagles, Jake Blaire and Bobby O’Grady each tallied two goals, while David Lamarca forced a pair of turnovers.
 
No. 2 Villanova 16, No. 3 Providence 14
 
In a cold and wet second game, Providence (7-8, 3-2) came out scorching with a quick three goals and a commanding 6-2 advantage with 3:18 remaining in the opening frame. However, a 5-2 run by Villanova (8-6, 4-1) brought the Wildcats back within a goal at halftime, 7-8.
 
Villanova broke the game open in the third quarter with a dominating 6-0 advantage, resulting in an 11-2 run over a 34:45-minute stretch. Unwilling to go away, the Friars opened the fourth quarter on a 6-2 run to cut the deficit to one, 15-14 with 5:12 to play. However, both defenses held strong as the Wildcats secured the 16-14 win with a tally in the final minute.
 
Matt Licata (3 G, 2A) and Luke Raymond (3G, 2A) each registered five points for Villanova, while Jake Melchionni tallied a goal and led all players with three caused turnovers on the defensive end. In goal, Denis Fargione made 12 saves.
 
The Friars were led offensively by Richie Joseph (4G, 1A) and Ryan Bell (3G, 2A), while Dan Donahue collected 11 saves in goal.
 
BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Championship Presented by JEEP
Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium
 
Semifinals - Thursday, May 1
No. 1 Georgetown 19, No. 4 Marquette 8
No. 2 Villanova 16, No. 3 Providence 14

Final – Saturday, May 3
No. 1 Georgetown vs. No. 2 Villanova, 3 p.m. MT (CBSSN)