ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – Three-peat! The St. Mary's College of Maryland men's lacrosse team won their third consecutive United East Conference Tournament Championship Saturday afternoon (May 4) while senior captain Johnny McGrain (Lutherville-Timonium, Md./Dulaney) was named the Tournament MVP.
 
Top-seeded St. Mary's College (13-6) notched a 23-4 victory over second-seeded Penn College (10-9), claiming the United East's automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. The NCAA Men's Lacrosse Selection Committee will release the tournament bracket on Sunday, May 5, at 9 pm on ncaa.com.
 
McGrain tallied two goals and five assists plus two ground balls and a caused turnover during the Seahawks' conference tournament run, including two goals and career-bests of four helpers and six points this afternoon.
 
Additionally, sophomore attackman Joshua Martel (Linthicum, Md./North County) accomplished two milestones with his four-goal performance in today's triumph. Martel scored his 100th career goal with his second goal of the afternoon and then he broke the single-season record for goals with his fourth of the game for his 60th of the season. Martel surpassed Steve Vallandingham's mark of 58 set in 2001.
 
How It Happened

• McGrain had a hand in SMCM's first four goals of the game as St. Mary's College claimed a 4-2 advantage at the end of the first quarter behind McGrain's one goal and three assists.

 

• The Seahawks created separation over the next 30 minutes with a 16-0 run to lead 20-2 with 51 seconds remaining in the third period. Penn College stopped SMCM's run 11 seconds later when AJ Dotson found the back of the net.

 

• St. Mary's College outscored the Wildcats, 3-1, in the final 15 minutes to lock up its third United East title.

Inside the Box Score

• The Seahawks posted a 59-15 shot advantage and nearly doubled up the visitors, 41-21, in ground balls.
• SMCM took care of the ball this afternoon, committing a season-low eight turnovers.
• Penn College turned the ball over 24 times, including 11 unforced errors.
• St. Mary's College won 18-of-31 face-offs as sophomore Matteo Ciccarello (Crofton, Md./Arundel) won 18-of-29 with a game-best 10 ground balls.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Junior midfielder Nate Hochrein (Towson, Md./Towson) led the Seahawks in the win with career-bests of five goals, two assists, and seven points plus a career-high two caused turnovers.
• First-year Declan Horton (University Park, Md./DeMatha) contributed three goals and two assists to exceed the 50-point plateau for the season.
• Junior attackman Keegan Preis (Upper Falls, Md./Loyola Blakefield) dished out a game-best five dimes.
• Junior Cullen McKay (Urbana, Md./Urbana) made five stops through the first three quarters of play.

 
Penn College Game Notes

• Dotson finished the game with two goals while Jayden Hazzard scooped up five ground balls.
• Alex Hammond and Dax Shallis combined for 17 saves and two ground balls.

Up Next for the Seahawks

• NCAA Tournament – Opponent and Date TBA

 
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