Dickinson and Swarthmore posted home semifinal victories on Friday to advance to the Centennial Conference men's lacrosse championship. The top-seeded Red Devils will host the second-seeded Garnet on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Biddle Field.
This will mark the first-ever championship game appearance for Swarthmore, which entered this year's tournament 0-2 in CC semifinal contests. Dickinson will aim for a repeat crown and is 5-0 in its five championship appearances.
In Carlisle, Pa., top-seeded Dickinson (14-3) received goals from a dozen different players to a 19-11 triumph over fifth-seeded Franklin & Marshall (9-8), earning a spot in the title game for the second straight season.
Ethan Gess led the balanced Red Devil attack with two goals and three assists, while Chris Brandau made nine saves in goal. F&M was led by four goals from Tommy Garofalo.
In Swarthmore, Pa., second-seeded Swarthmore (14-2) overcame an early 5-1 deficit to top third-seeded Gettysburg, 12-11, advancing to the CC title game for the first time.
The Garnet received scoring from across the board, with Von Mabbs, Carter Strauch, Clay Almgren, Jackson Brosgol and Danny Lowe each tallying multiple goals. Ryan Pretzer notched 10 saves while facing down 34 shots. Ethan Kessler led the way for the Bullets with five goals and one assist.
With the dramatic win, the Garnet captured their first Centennial Conference playoff win in program history, a drought stretching back to Swarthmore joining the conference in 1994.
FIRST ROUND: Tuesday, May 2 | Allentown, Pa.
#5 Franklin & Marshall d. #4 Muhlenberg, 9-8 OT
SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 5 | at #1 & #2 seeds
#1 Dickinson d. #5 Franklin & Marshall, 19-11
#2 Swarthmore d. #3 Gettysburg, 12-11
CHAMPIONSHIP: Sunday, May 7 | Carlisle, Pa.
#2 Swarthmore at #1 Dickinson, 1 p.m.