ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – The St. Mary's College of Maryland men's lacrosse team, the two-time defending United East Conference champions, began their title defense Tuesday evening (April 30). Top-seeded St. Mary's College (12-6) downed No. 4 seed Cairn University (4-9) in the semifinals of the United East Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament.
 
As the No. 1 seed, the Seahawks will host the host the winner of No. 2 seed Penn College (9-8) and No. 3 seed Keystone College (6-9) on Saturday, May 4, at 1 p.m. Penn College and Keystone will play their semifinal matchup tomorrow night (May 1) at 7 p.m.
 
How It Happened

• Cairn struck first as Jonathan Balsamo found the back of the net at 11:21 to give the Highlanders the early 1-0 lead. Under three minutes later, first-year Declan Horton (University Park, Md./DeMatha) sparked a 15-0 run for SMCM and St. Mary's College led 15-1 at 12:21 of the third quarter.

 

• Nicholas Kennedy interrupted the Seahawk run with his first tally of the season at 10:46 before SMCM put together an 8-0 run to claim a 23-2 advantage at 9:54 in the fourth period. Balsamo struck again for Cairn before St. Mary's College tacked on the final four goals of the game.

Inside the Box Score

• The Seahawks dominated all statistical categories as SMCM posted a 77-16 shot margin, scooped up 61 ground balls to the Highlanders' 16, and went 29-of-34 in face-offs.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Junior attackman Keegan Preis (Upper Falls, Md./Loyola Blakefield) tallied a game-best seven points on two goals and five assists.
• Sophomore attacker Liam McNulty (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) scored a career- and game-high five goals and matched a career-best five points.
• Senior midfielder Mark LoPresto (Elkton, Md./Tome) and Horton both contributed four points. LoPresto's four points resulted from a career-best three goals and an assist while Horton had the opposite with a goal and three helpers.
• Sophomore Matteo Ciccarello (Crofton, Md./Arundel) won 29 of 33 face-offs and picked up a game-leading 26 ground balls.

 
Cairn Game Notes

• Nico Cione made 24 saves for the Highlanders.

Up Next for the Seahawks

• May 4 vs. No. 2 seed Penn College/No. 3 seed Keystone – St. Mary's City, Md. (JLR Stadium) – 1 pm (United East Conference Tournament Final)

 
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