UAlbany Wins Third Straight Lacrosse Championship

After trailing by three goals twice, the University at Albany Great Danes rallied to claim their third straight America East lacrosse championship Saturday, defeating Vermont 14-11 in front of their home crowd.

The comeback victory was far from easy. Vermont jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and built a 6-3 advantage late in the second quarter, threatening to derail Albany's championship hopes.

But the Great Danes refused to quit. Ryan Doherty sparked the comeback with his third goal just before halftime, cutting the deficit to 6-5 and giving his team momentum heading into the break.

Vermont pushed back hard in the third quarter, extending their lead to 8-5. That's when Albany's offense exploded with four straight goals, three from Silas Richmond, to take their first lead of the second half at 10-9.

Doherty opened the fourth quarter with a spectacular behind-the-back goal just seven seconds in, electrifying the home crowd. Jackson Palumb added another goal a minute later to push the lead to 12-9, and Albany never looked back.

The Ripple Effect

This championship represents more than just another trophy for Albany. The Great Danes have now punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for three consecutive years, establishing themselves as a consistent powerhouse in college lacrosse.

Five players earned America East Tournament honors, with Doherty named Most Outstanding Player after his five-goal, two-assist performance. Richmond matched his seven-point total with four goals and three assists, while goalie Brady Smith made 13 crucial saves.

The victory marks Albany's 12th conference championship in program history, cementing the program's legacy of excellence. For the players, coaches, and fans who've supported this team through ups and downs, three straight titles represent the payoff of dedication and belief.

Albany will discover their NCAA Tournament opponent during Sunday night's selection show on ESPNU at 9:30 p.m. For now, the Great Danes are celebrating a hard-fought championship that proved champions never give up.