ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany men's lacrosse team is set to compete in the 2025 America East Championship, hosted by Bryant University. Entering as the No. 3 seed, the Great Danes will open tournament play on Thursday in the Semifinals.
Host and No. 1 seed Bryant will face No. 4 Binghamton in the first semifinal at 4:00 p.m., followed by No. 3 UAlbany taking on No. 2 UMBC in the nightcap at 7:00 p.m. Both semifinal winners will advance to the championship game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
All games of the 2025 America East Men's Lacrosse Championship will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Tournament Info
Thursday, May 1 – Semifinals
Semifinal 1: #4 Binghamton vs. #1 Bryant – 4:00 p.m.
Semifinal 2: #3 UAlbany vs. #2 UMBC – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 3 – Championship
Winner of Semifinal 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal 2 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, R.I.
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Tickets
Leading the Pack
- Ryan Doherty has been UAlbany's primary finisher, leading the team with 38 goals through 15 games. He is averaging 2.53 goals per game and has chipped in 12 assists for a total of 50 points this season.
- Silas Richmond continues to drive the offense, pacing the team with 73 points on 33 goals and a team-high 40 assists. He ranks first in the America East with an average of 4.87 points per game and has posted multiple points in every appearance this year.
- Koleton Marquis ranks third for the Great Danes with 21 goals and 6 assists, while Jackson Palumb has added 18 goals and 2 assists. Daniel Kesselring and Alex Pfeiffer have each contributed 13 goals apiece to balance the scoring attack.
- On the defensive side, Max Neeson leads UAlbany with 21 caused turnovers. He has also recorded four goals with the long pole and collected 39 ground balls, tying for second on the team.
- Cade Galko tops the squad in ground balls with 41, continuing to be a steady presence between the lines.
- Jacob Smith has enjoyed a standout sophomore season, tallying four goals, 39 ground balls, and 17 caused turnovers, which ranks second on the team behind Neeson.
- In net, Brady Smith has started 13 games and logged 690 minutes, making 119 saves. He holds an 11.73 goals-against average and a .469 save percentage for the season.
- UAlbany has used multiple faceoff specialists throughout the year:
Last Time Out
The UAlbany men's lacrosse team used a dominant offensive performance, led by an eight-point outing from
Silas Richmond, to cruise past NJIT, 18-6, for the program's fourth straight win last Saturday night.
- Silas Richmond led UAlbany with one goal and a game-high seven assists for a team-high eight points.
- Amos Whitcomb scored twice on four shots, including back-to-back goals late in the third quarter.
- Alex Pfeiffer contributed two unassisted goals, helping UAlbany build an early lead.
- Jacob Moran added two goals, scoring both in the fourth quarter, including a man-up tally.
- Ryan Doherty finished with two goals and one assist, providing key scores in the first and third quarters.
- Daniel Kesselring totaled two goals and one assist, including an early strike to halt an NJIT run.
- Ben Wimmer, Justin Lee, Jackson Palumb, Conner Fingar, and Koleton Marquis each netted one goal for the Great Danes.
- Caeden LaPietro handed out two assists, setting up goals for Fingar and Smith in the first half.
- Brendon Barnard scored once in the fourth quarter, marking his second goal of the season.
- Brady Smith made five saves in goal, backstopping UAlbany to its fourth straight win.
- As a team, UAlbany won 16 of 27 faceoffs, picked up 39 ground balls, and successfully cleared 26 of 28 attempts.
History with #2 UMBC
UAlbany and UMBC share a long-standing rivalry that has intensified through years of America East competition. The Great Danes have historically controlled the series, but recent matchups have become increasingly competitive. UMBC claimed a 13-12 victory earlier this season on March 22, rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit to win at Casey Stadium. All-time, UAlbany holds a 19-8 advantage over the Retrievers, including wins in eight of the last ten meetings. Across their matchups, UAlbany has traditionally showcased offensive firepower, while UMBC has built its reputation around strong defensive performances and faceoff dominance.
In America East Tournament history, UAlbany and UMBC have met eight times, with the Great Danes holding a 6-2 advantage in postseason play. UAlbany captured America East titles over UMBC in 2007, 2013, and 2014, and earned semifinal wins in 2015, 2017, and 2018.
UMBC's two postseason wins over UAlbany came in 2008, when they upset the Danes for the conference championship, and in 2019, when they again knocked off UAlbany in the semifinals.
Scouting the Retrievers
The Great Danes will face a familiar opponent in Thursday's America East semifinal, taking on UMBC in a postseason rematch. The Retrievers come into the tournament with a 7-4 overall record, including a 5-1 mark in conference play, earning the No. 2 seed behind a strong regular-season finish.
- Head Coach Ryan Moran is in his eighth season at the helm of the UMBC program, leading the Retrievers back to the America East Tournament after another successful campaign.
- UMBC enters the postseason averaging 11.45 goals per game while allowing just 10.09. The Retrievers hold a .283 shooting percentage and an impressive .910 clear percentage, both among the conference's best marks.
- On special teams, UMBC has converted 10 of 31 man-up opportunities this season, good for a .323 success rate.
- Offensively, Jordan Galloway sets the pace with 36 points on 19 goals and 17 assists. He is complemented by Connor Chick (21 goals, 3 assists), Xander Maxwell (11 goals, 9 assists), and Corey Myers (13 goals, 4 assists), giving the Retrievers multiple scoring threats.
- At the faceoff X, Alex Steers has been dominant, winning 133 of 228 attempts for a .583 faceoff percentage. Justin Webber has also provided depth, going 10-for-20 on draws.
- In goal, Connor McMahon anchors the defense with a 9.45 goals-against average and a .484 save percentage across 10 starts, providing stability between the pipes.
History with #1 Bryant
If UAlbany and Bryant both advance, the two teams would meet in the America East championship game for the second time in three seasons. Bryant holds a 6-2 all-time advantage over UAlbany, including wins in each of the last three meetings. Earlier this season, Bryant edged UAlbany 12-11 in a fourth-quarter comeback.
The rivalry reached another level in 2023, when Bryant defeated UAlbany 12-11 in overtime to win the America East Championship. The Great Danes' two wins over Bryant came during the 2013 and 2015 seasons, both on the road. Should the matchup occur, UAlbany will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak against the Bulldogs and claim their first win over Bryant since 2015.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Great Danes could face a familiar challenge if both teams advance to the America East championship, with Bryant entering the postseason in strong form at 9-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play.
- Head Coach Brad Ross is in his second season leading the Bryant program, continuing to build on the team's recent America East success.
- Bryant enters the postseason averaging 12.92 goals per game while allowing 10.00. The Bulldogs are shooting .311 as a team and have posted an impressive .892 clear percentage.
- On special teams, Bryant has converted 17 of 39 man-up opportunities this season, good for a .436 conversion rate.
- Offensively, Brian Russell leads the Bulldogs with 45 points on 20 goals and 25 assists. He is joined by Rielly Dawson (37 goals, 5 assists), Zac Amend (22 goals, 8 assists), and Jack Lonsinger (17 goals, 10 assists) to form a deep scoring group.
- At the faceoff X, JJ Murphy has been dominant, winning 132 of 236 faceoffs for a .559 win percentage.
- In goal, Scott Einarson has anchored the defense, posting a 10.06 goals-against average and a .519 save percentage across 13 appearances.
History with #4 Binghamton
If UAlbany and Binghamton both advance, the teams would meet again in the America East championship game. The Great Danes have historically dominated the series, holding a 24-3 record against the Bearcats. Earlier this season, UAlbany earned a 14-8 victory over Binghamton on the road to extend their winning streak in the series.
Across 27 total meetings, UAlbany has consistently displayed offensive firepower, outscoring Binghamton by wide margins and controlling the rivalry both at home and on the road.
The Great Danes have won 15 straight games against the Bearcats, with Binghamton's last win coming during the 2008 season.
Scouting the Bearcats
The Great Danes could face a familiar America East opponent if both teams advance to the championship game, with Binghamton entering the postseason at 5-8 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
- Head Coach Kevin McKeown is in his ninth season leading the Bearcats, helping guide them to another America East Tournament appearance.
- Binghamton enters the postseason averaging 9.38 goals per game while allowing 11.31.
- The Bearcats hold a .241 shooting percentage and an .821 clear percentage.
- On special teams, Binghamton has converted 6 of 19 man-up opportunities this season, good for a .316 success rate.
- Offensively, Liam Ferris leads the team with 43 points on 34 goals and 9 assists. He is supported by Gage Adams (16 goals, 15 assists), Andrew Girolamo (17 goals, 6 assists), and Dan Garone (15 goals, 3 assists).
- At the faceoff X, Flynn Wilson has handled the majority of draws, winning 74 of 175 attempts for a .423 faceoff percentage. CJ Mangio has also contributed, going 52-for-136 at the X (.382).
- In goal, Connor Winters has logged the most minutes for the Bearcats, posting an 11.29 goals-against average and a .532 save percentage across 13 appearances.
Next: Following the America East Tournament, the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship field will be announced on Sunday, May 5. The America East champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. UAlbany is looking to repeat as America East champions after winning the title last season and earning a trip to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Stay up to date with UAlbany men's lacrosse by following the team on X (
@UAlbanyMLax) and Instagram (
@ualbanymlax) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.
