MLX: Lasell earns top seed in GNAC playoffs and first-round bye

NEWTON, Mass. – The Lasell University men's lacrosse team has been announced as the top seed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) playoffs and will receive a first-round bye this Saturday.

The top-seeded Lasers, who finished the regular season at 8-2 overall and 6-0 in the GNAC under sixth-year head coach Bill Mason, advance to a semifinal game next Wednesday, May 5, at 4 p.m. at Grellier Field. Their opponent will be the winner of Saturday's first-round game between fifth-seeded University of Saint Joseph of Connecticut (5-6, 4-5) and fourth-seeded Johnson & Wales University (6-2, 5-2). Lasell did not play either of those teams this season.

The other semifinal on Wednesday will match the winner of this Friday's first-round contest between seventh-seeded Anna Maria College (1-7, 1-6) and second-seeded Norwich University (7-3, 5-2) against the winner of Saturday's game between sixth-seeded Emmanuel College (3-6, 3-5) and third-seeded Rivier University (3-4, 3-4). The GNAC championship game is next Saturday, May 8, at the site of the top remaining seed, with the winner earning the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.

The Lasers are seeking their second overall GNAC Championship, having won their only title in 2017. Top-seeded Lasell was upset by second-seeded Norwich in the championship game in the most recent GNAC Tournament in 2019; last year's tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic. The Lasers also finished runner-up in 2011, 2012, and 2016.

Against its potential semifinal opponents, Lasell has never played Saint Joseph (Connecticut) in the post-season and was upset by #6 Johnson & Wales, 11-10 in overtime, in the only post-season meeting in the semifinals in 2018. Lasell is 10-6 in GNAC Tournament games at Grellier Field since 2011.

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