The 2019 NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse Tournament bracket has been set, and we’ll have wall to wall lax action for the next 3 weeks!
The Tournament is always filled with close games and upsets. This year’s dance it will place some big names as lower seeds, almost solidifying chaos.
7 DMV teams will partake, seeing 3 as the higher seeded squad.
All 4 higher seeds won on Saturday, and the hosts will try to continue the perfect bracket.
Can we see another Cinderella run this year?
Sunday:
16.UMBC vs 1. Penn State Noon ESPNU
Penn State has completed their best regular season ever, and have been rightfully handed the overall #1 seed. They’ve never won a NCAA Tournament game in 4 appearances.
The Lions are led by Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Mac O’Keefe, Defensive Player of the Year Chris Sabia and All First Team member Grant Ament.
O’Keefe has scored a goal in every game for the Lions this year, and Penn State’s star packed defense gave up more than 15 goals once (in the conference championship). The Nittany Lions only loss was to 2018 National Champion Yale in the Regular Season.
UMBC is getting familiar with pulling off upsets. The lowest seed in the America East tournament beat both top seeds to advance to the Big Dance. The Retrievers started the year at 1-6, and finished with an amazing 5-2 record. They are the only team under .500 in the Big Dance.
Ryan Frawley leads the way for UMBC with a strong 38 goals. He doesn’t lead the team in points though. That’s Trevor Patschorke with 47.
Can UMBC pull off the 16 over 1 upset again? 16 seeds are 0-16 all time against 1 seeds.
11. Maryland vs 6.Towson 2:30 ESPNU
If I gave you this game without seeds, you’d think it was the other way around.
Towson has had an all time season, finishing 11-4 while beating 4 ranked foes. They’ll look to get their first win since 2017 in the tournament.
The Tigers are led by 45 goal scorer, Brandon Sunday and 2 senior midfielders Timmy Monahan and Brody McClain. They are just a mediocre team in my opinion.
Maryland battled until the last minute to get into the tournament, but a 3-2 record against ranked opponents probably did it for them. With the at large bid, the Terps have clinched their 17th straight tournament appearance.
Led by Tewaaraton award finalist Jared Bernhardt and Sophomore Logan Wisnauskas, the Terps finished with a 11-4 record. Both have 70+ points and are force to be reckoned with offensively.
Towson has lost the last 10 matchups against Maryland and will host their first tournament game since 2005.
15.Richmond vs 2. Duke 5:00 ESPNU
Richmond is getting used to first round exits. In their past 2 appearances (all within 5 years), they’ve been dominated in the first round.
The Spiders are led by Sophomore Ryan Lanchbury. The underclassman scored an amazing 50 goals this year, and picked up 20 assists. Senior Teddy Hatfield isn’t far behind with 36 goals and 33 assists.
Duke will look to make it back to the title game and win a game in their 3rd straight tournament. This will be the Blue Devils 13th straight appearance.
Their defense is their strong hold. Junior JT Giles Harris was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, picking up 24 ground balls. They have finished with some strange results, but I don’t think they should worry about Richmond.
10. Johns Hopkins vs 7. Notre Dame 7:30 ESPNU
2019 Big Ten Runners Up Johns Hopkins have clinched their 6 straight tournament bid but will look for their first win since 2015. The Blue Jays are the face of College Lacrosse, winning 9 tournament titles.
The Hop is led by freshmen, yes freshmen. They lead the way with 82 points. Joey Epstein leads the way with 45 goals.
Notre Dame has made their 14th straight tournament, and will look to pick up their first win since 2017.
The Irish are led by 3 All ACC players. Brendan Gleason, Bryan Costabile and Charlie Leonard all earned the nods as Gleason and Costabile have made it back to back years.
This is the final quarterfinal of 2019.
Sit down in front of your television set with your mothers and take in some hard hitting lacrosse action. All games will be broadcasted on ESPNU so you don’t even have to touch your remote. Their is also a DMV team in every game!
My picks for the day are UMBC (homer), Maryland, Duke, and Notre Dame.
