PHILADELPHIA – Earning the top seed in this week's 2021 Northeast Conference Men's Lacrosse Championship, #18 Saint Joseph's (8-3, 8-0 NEC) is set to host fourth-seeded LIU (6-4, 5-3 NEC) on Wednesday, May 5 on Sweeney Field. Opening face-off is set for 1:00 p.m. and will be streamed on NEC Front Row.

The 2021 NEC regular-season champion Hawks are riding an eight-game winning streak into the game; after dropping their first three non-conference games of the season, SJU won all eight NEC regular-season games. SJU enters Wednesday's postseason match-up with LIU ranked 18th in this week's Nike/US Lacrosse Magazine Media Poll and 20th in both the USILA/Dynamic 2021 Coaches Poll and Inside Lacrosse Media Poll.

Second-seeded Hobart will host third-seeded Bryant on Wednesday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m.

The winners of each semifinal game will advance to the championship game, to be held at the higher seed's institution on Saturday, May 8. The winner of the championship game will receive the NEC's automatic berth into the 2021 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES FOR SWEENEY FIELD
As of March 1, 2021, spectators are permitted to attend outdoor Athletics contests hosted at Saint Joseph's University.

• Masking is required at all times.
• Physical distancing must be practiced.  
• All group gatherings are prohibited.
• Indoor facilities have restricted access.
• Outdoor restrooms are provided.

LAST TIME OUT VS. LIU
The Hawks and Sharks met on April 24 of the regular season, where SJU came away with the 14-13 win on Sweeney Field. With the Crimson and Gray leading 14-13 with 44 seconds remaining in regulation and the ball in the Sharks' offensive end, Saint Joseph's graduate student defenseman Tyler Makar stifled LIU's Jake Gillis to force the turnover and SJU cleared en route to the win. The victory marked SJU's seventh NEC win of the season as the Hawks claimed the 2021 NEC regular-season title outright, marking the program's fifth regular-season title since joining the NEC ('14, '15, '16, '18, '21).

Junior face-off specialist Zach Cole dominated with a 22-of-29 showing from the X and a game-high eight ground balls while sophomore attackman Matt Bohmer recorded a hat trick and a helper to lead nine different SJU goal scorers on the day. Senior midfielder Shane Fable (2g, GWG, 2a), and sophomore attackman Ryan Doran (1g, 3a) added four points apiece for an SJU offense that scored 14 goals, 11 of which were assisted. 

Junior long stick midfielder Matt Popeck showed his versatility by scoring two goals as an LSM, sophomore close defenseman Patrick Clemens held Richie LaCalandra to one goal, and senior goalkeeper Tucker Almany made six saves - five in the first half - in the full 60:00 to pick up his seventh NEC win of the year.

SJU IN THE NEC POSTSEASON
This marks the fifth season in program history in which Saint Joseph's has earned the top seed for the NEC Championship and will host an NEC postseason game on Sweeney Field (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018). The Hawks have reached the NEC Championship title game three times - in 2015, 2016, and 2018 - and have their eyes set on the program's first NEC Championship title.

SJU's All-Time NEC Postseason Results (3 wins, 4 losses)
2014 - NEC Semis - Sweeney Field - Hobart 10, Saint Joseph's 9 (2OT)
2015 - NEC Semis - Sweeney Field - Saint Joseph's 10, Mount St. Mary's 4
2015 - NEC Finals - Sweeney Field - Bryant 10, Saint Joseph's 6
2016 - NEC Semis - Sweeney FIeld - Saint Joseph's 14, Robert Morris 7
2016 - NEC Finals - Sweeney Field - Hobart 11, Saint Joseph's 7
2018 - NEC Semis - Sweeney Field - Saint Joseph's 11, Sacred Heart 9
2018 - NEC Finals - Sweeney Field - Robert Morris 9, Saint Joseph's 8 (OT)