No. 2 Keiser Seahawks 13, No. 3 Webber International Warriors 9
Memorial Stadium (Savannah, Ga.)
Records: Keiser 16-2 | Webber Int'l 15-4
Keiser men's lacrosse advanced to their second consecutive NAIA National Championship game with a four-goal victory over Webber International.
AJ Badik scored four points, and
Chris Rayburn took possession of Keiser's season record in face-off wins. (286)
Keiser 3, WIU 3
- The Seahawks struck first when Braeden Niemy got open for a goal one minute into the game. AJ Badik provided the assist.
- Following a KU turnover, the Warriors tied the game.
- Webber committed an illegal body check, and Ryan Rundle was able to convert the man-up opportunity with 12:20 on the board. AJ Badik provided the assist.
- Another KU turnover led to the Warriors scoring again.
- Webber took the lead with 6:10 on the clock.
- One minute later, Orlando natives AJ Badik and JP Prather linked up to tie the game once again.
Keiser 8, WIU 4
- Webber took the lead 19 seconds into the quarter following a face-off win.
- After a KU defensive stand and a successful clear, JP Prather scored unassisted to knot up the game yet again.
- With 7:24 on the clock, a Warrior turnover led to a Kegan Hufford goal that gave Keiser the lead.
- Another WIU turnover led to a Vincent Cerasuolo goal with 4:34 on the board.
- Reese Niemeier caused a turnover with 2:50 remaining, and Braeden Niemy scored to put Keiser up by three.
- The final goal of the half was scored when Marek Albiero assisted on another goal from Hufford.
Keiser 13, WIU 7
- After a lengthy weather delay, play resumed and Zach Crotwell kept the Seahawk momentum going with a goal after a Chris Rayburn face-off win.
- Webber answered with a goal at the 14:33 mark.
- At 13:32 Webber turned the ball over, and Donovan Barnshaw scooped up the groundball and burned the Warrior defense down the field, finding Braeden Niemy for a goal.
- After two scoreless minutes, Jackson Marshall forced a WIU turnover that led to a goal from Ryan Rundle.
- Three minutes later, Kegan Hufford scored to convert a KU man-up opportunity.
- At 7:48, the Warriors committed a slashing penalty, and AJ Badik made them pay with a long range goal.
- Between 4:01 and 3:06, Webber was able to find the net twice.
Keiser 13, WIU 9
- For most of the fourth quarter, the Seahawks played keepaway, taking their time on each possession and draining as much clock as possible.
- The Warriors were able to score goals at 13:06 and 7:44, but Lucas Green and the Keiser defense stood their ground and fended off the Webber offense to send the Seahawks to their second straight title game.
- KU outshot WIU 44-31.
- The Keiser defense caused seven Warrior turnovers.
- Braeden Niemy has scored at least one point in every game this season.
- The Seahawks was nearly perfect on clears, going 19-20.
- Keiser picked up 27 groundballs.
- Lucas Green made six saves.
- Keiser is now 8-5 in the NAIA Invitational Tournament.
- In 10 meetings, Keiser men's lacrosse has never lost to Webber International.
No. 2 Keiser
Goals: Hufford / Niemy (3)
Points: Badik (4)
Assists: Badik (3)
Faceoffs: Rayburn (17-25)
Ground Balls: Rayburn (4)
Caused Turnovers: Marshall (3)
Saves: Green (6)
No. 3 Webber Int'l
Goals: Nelson (3)
Points: Nelson / Jackson (3)
Assists: Four Players (1)
Faceoffs: Cargile (6-17)
Ground Balls: Fasano (5)
Caused Turnovers: Bryan (3)
Saves: Prylinksi (15)
Keiser will face No. 1 Reinhardt in the NAIA National Championship game this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Savannah Ga.
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