The UAlbany men’s lacrosse team, winners of the America East championship, secured an automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament and will play one more game at home this season. In their first-ever meeting, the Great Danes will face Sacred Heart in the opening round game at Casey Stadium.
The Pioneers earned their first trip to the NCAA tournament after going undefeated in the MAAC and winning the conference title. Head coach Scott Marr acknowledged the strength of their opponent, emphasizing the importance of respecting their competition and staying focused.
Coach Marr addressed his team during practice to ensure they were prepared for the upcoming game. The Great Danes will be making their 11th appearance in the NCAA tournament and their first since 2018. They secured their 10th America East title after defeating Vermont in the championship game.
Looking ahead, the focus is on being 1-0 in the next game. The winner of the matchup between UAlbany and Sacred Heart will face Notre Dame, the number 1 overall seed and defending national champions, in the first round in South Bend. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Casey Stadium. Jake Piseno, a graduate long-stick midfielder, expressed his team’s desire to continue their journey to South Bend and spend more time together as they take on Sacred Heart in this highly anticipated matchup.