PHILADELPHIA – The stage is set.

After earning a dominant eight-goal win over LIU in the conference semifinals on Wednesday afternoon, the #18 and top-seeded Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse squad (9-3) is set to host third-seeded Bryant (8-3) in the 2021 Northeast Conference Championship this Saturday, May 8. Opening face-off is set for 1:00 p.m. on NEC Front Row and ESPN3.

The 2021 NEC regular-season champion Hawks are riding a nine-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 and downed LIU in the semis, 19-11, on Wednesday. Saint Joseph's enters Saturday's postseason match-up with Bryant 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.

The Hawks will be playing in the NEC Championship for the fourth time (2015, 2016, 2018, 2021) and have their eyes set on the program's first NEC Championship title.

Bryant is coming off of a 14-12 road win over second-seeded Hobart in the NEC's other semifinal game on Wednesday; Bennett Abladian and Aidan Goltz combined for eight goals and Luke Caracciolo made 17 saves. The Bulldogs will be playing in the NEC Championship for the sixth time and are 5-0 in title game appearances (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017). 

Bryant and Saint Joseph's will be meeting for the 11th time in program history; the Hawks hold a 6-4 lead in the all-time series while the Bulldogs own the 1-0 advantage in postseason competition, the 2015 NEC title game.

The winner of Saturday's game will receive the NEC's automatic berth into the 2021 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament.

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 AT BRYANT
The Hawks and Bulldogs met on April 17 of the regular season, where SJU came away with the 13-5 win at Beirne Stadium. Junior face-off specialist Zach Cole went 20-of-22 from the X to surpass 400 career face-off wins, senior midfielder Evan Campbell registered five points (3g, 2a) to lead nine Hawks in scoring, and senior goalkeeper Tucker Almany made a career-high 15 saves.

"That was a well-earned victory over a very good lacrosse team," said head coach Taylor Wray following the win. "Every time you play the Bryant Bulldogs, you know you are going to be in for a really physical, highly-contested game. I thought our defense played terrific and executed the game plan well. The face-off game was highly-tilted in our favor, which stopped Bryant from making their traditional runs, and we made some plays in transition that allowed us to separate. Evan [Campbell] was terrific on both ends of the field today, Josh [Bosher] had his best game of the season, and Zach [Cole] returned to form at the face-off. There's a lot to be proud of from this game."

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, 2021). The Hawks have reached the NEC Championship title game four times - in 2015, 2016, 2018, and now, 2021 - and have their eyes set on the program's first NEC Championship title.

SJU's All-Time NEC Postseason Results (4 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)
2021 - NEC Semis - Sweeney Field - Saint Joseph's 19, LIU 11