No. 2 Keiser Seahawks 13, No. 6 Cumberlands (Ky) Patriots 4
UC Lacrosse Complex (Williamsburg, Ky)
Keiser (14-1) | Cumberlands (12-5)

Keiser men's lacrosse captured the first AAC title in program history on Saturday, defeating the No. 6-ranked University of the Cumberlands (Ky), 13-4. The Seahawks played a masterful defensive game, led by a school-record-breaking 20 saves from Christian Tomei. KU was paced offensively by a hat trick from AJ Badik and five points from Jack Gillen. Tomei was honored as the tournament MVP, while Cole Stassi, Cam Provines, and Reese Niemeier were named to the all-tournament team.


Keiser 0, Cumberlands 1

• The game was a defensive struggle early on, and no goals were scored until 1:26 showed on the clock. 
• At that point, Cumberlands took the lead with their first goal of the game. 

Keiser 3, Cumberlands 1

• Keiser tied the game with a Braeden Niemy goal, assisted by AJ Badik 30 seconds into the quarter. 
• Twenty-five seconds later, AJ Badik put Keiser in front with a Jack Gillen assist. 
• With 5:14 on the clock, Badik scored unassisted. 

Keiser 9, Cumberlands 2

• Ryan Rundle scored the first goal of the second half with 11:25 on the board, courtesy of a Cole Stassi assist. 
• Just 50 seconds later, Braeden Niemy scored his second goal of the day, unassisted. 
• In a two-minute window, AJ Badik completed a hat trick and Vincent Cerasuolo scored. Both goals were unassisted. 
• With 4:06 on the board, Jack Gillen scored on a Michael Shephard assist. 
• One minute later, Cole Stassi scored with a Gillen assist. 
• With seven seconds left in the quarter, the Patriots scored their second goal. 

Keiser 13, Cumberlands 4

• The Patriots wouldn't go down easily and scored two goals in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter. 
• Thanks to the Seahawk defense, those goals were the final Cumberlands points of the game. 
• Cole Stassi scored his second goal of the game with 05:59 on the clock on an assist from Jack Gillen. 
• Forty-one seconds later, Jack Gillen converted a man-up opportunity with a Stassi assist. 
• With 4:31 left in the game, Josten Ucros scored with an AJ Badik assist. 
• Seven seconds later, Aaron Thompson scored with an assist from Cam Provines. 

 

• Keiser outshot Cumberlands, 52-39. 
• Cam Provines controlled the faceoff all game long, going 16-19. 
• AJ Badik recorded his sixth hat trick of the season. 
• Christian Tomei recorded a school-record 20 saves.  
• For his play in the AAC tournament, Tomei was named the tournament MVP (37 saves in two games, six goals allowed on 43 shots on goal.).

No. 2 Keiser
Goals: Badik (3)
Points: Gillen / Badik (5)
Assists: Gillen (3)
Faceoffs: Provines (16-19)
Ground Balls: Provines (10)
Caused Turnovers: Eight Players (1)
Saves: Tomei (20)

No. 6 Cumberlands (Ky)
Goals: Four Players (1)
Points: Six Players (1)
Assists: Coleman / Popovich (1)
Faceoffs: Reyes (2-14)
Ground Balls: Bush (6)
Caused Turnovers: Bush (3)
Saves: Toohey (13)



"I'm beyond of proud of our whole team's performance this weekend," said Head Coach Patrick Johnston. "Obviously Christian Tomei and Cam Provines had unbelievable performances in their respective roles, but it was a total team effort. The offense shared the ball and finished against two really good teams while the defense shut down two high scoring offenses. The guys on the sideline brought the energy and enthusiasm all weekend, and I couldn't be prouder. We'll enjoy this today, then we're back to work to prepare for nationals." 




Keiser will have a week off before traveling to Pensacola, Florida, for the NAIA Invitational Tournament being held on May 10-13.
 

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