How did the 2023 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Championships unfold. Which teams emerged victorious in the tournament. What were the key matchups and surprising outcomes in the brackets.
Men’s Division III Lacrosse Championship: Tournament Overview
The 2023 NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship showcased intense competition and thrilling matchups throughout the tournament. Teams from across the country battled for supremacy, with each game bringing its own set of challenges and excitement.
Key Matchups in the Early Rounds
Several noteworthy games stood out in the early stages of the tournament:
- Maine Maritime vs. Emmanuel (MA): Emmanuel (MA) secured a 12-7 victory
- Illinois Wesleyan vs. Aurora: Illinois Wesleyan dominated with a 19-10 win
- Tufts vs. Emmanuel (MA): Tufts showcased their strength with a commanding 27-5 victory
- York (PA) vs. Cabrini: York (PA) emerged victorious with an 18-9 score
These games set the tone for the tournament, highlighting the competitive nature of Division III lacrosse and the high level of skill among participating teams.
Advancing to the Later Stages
As the tournament progressed, several teams distinguished themselves:
- Denison defeated Illinois Wesleyan 15-10
- Lynchburg edged out St. John Fisher in a close 11-10 match
- Tufts continued their dominant run with a 22-7 win over York (PA)
- Lynchburg overcame Denison 14-8
These results set up exciting matchups for the later rounds, with teams like Tufts and Lynchburg emerging as strong contenders for the championship title.
Women’s Division III Lacrosse Championship: Tournament Highlights
The 2023 NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship was equally thrilling, featuring outstanding performances and unexpected outcomes.
Early Round Standouts
Some notable early-round matchups included:
- SUNY Geneseo’s dominant 22-4 win over SUNY Canton
- Trinity (CT) defeating Plymouth St. 22-4
- Babson’s impressive 23-8 victory against Westfield St.
- Messiah outplaying St. Mary’s (MD) 13-2
These games demonstrated the depth of talent in Division III women’s lacrosse and set the stage for an exciting tournament.
Advancing Teams and Key Matchups
As the tournament progressed, several teams emerged as strong contenders:
- Middlebury showcased their prowess with a 19-4 win over SUNY Geneseo
- Trinity (CT) narrowly defeated MIT 11-10 in a thrilling match
- Colby dominated Babson 20-8
- TCNJ secured a solid 14-6 victory against Messiah
These results set up intriguing matchups for the later stages of the tournament, with teams like Middlebury and Colby demonstrating their championship potential.
Semifinal Showdowns: Men’s Tournament
The men’s semifinals featured intense battles between top-performing teams:
Tufts vs. RIT
In a closely contested match, Tufts emerged victorious with a 15-11 win over RIT. This game showcased the skill and determination of both teams, with Tufts ultimately securing their place in the championship final.
Salisbury vs. Christopher Newport
Salisbury demonstrated their championship pedigree with a 12-8 victory over Christopher Newport. This win set up an exciting final matchup against Tufts, promising a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
Semifinal Battles: Women’s Tournament
The women’s semifinals also provided gripping lacrosse action:
Middlebury vs. Franklin & Marshall
Middlebury showcased their dominance with a resounding 22-13 win over Franklin & Marshall. This victory solidified Middlebury’s position as a top contender for the championship title.
William Smith vs. Gettysburg
In a hard-fought battle, Gettysburg prevailed over William Smith with a 15-10 victory. This win set the stage for an exciting championship final against Middlebury.
Championship Finals: Crowning the Champions
The championship finals for both the men’s and women’s tournaments were highly anticipated events, featuring the best teams in Division III lacrosse.
Men’s Championship: Tufts vs. Salisbury
The men’s final saw Tufts face off against Salisbury in a battle for Division III supremacy. Both teams had demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, setting the stage for an epic conclusion.
Women’s Championship: Middlebury vs. Gettysburg
The women’s final featured a showdown between Middlebury and Gettysburg. These two powerhouse teams had proven their mettle throughout the tournament, promising an exciting and closely contested championship match.
Tournament Surprises and Upsets
The 2023 NCAA Division III Lacrosse Championships were not without their share of surprises and upsets, adding to the excitement of the tournament.
Men’s Tournament Upsets
Some notable upsets in the men’s tournament included:
- Grove City’s narrow 18-17 victory over Swarthmore in the early rounds
- Dickinson’s surprising 19-3 win against John Carroll
- Stevens’ unexpected 20-11 triumph over Kenyon
These results showcased the unpredictable nature of tournament play and the depth of talent in Division III men’s lacrosse.
Women’s Tournament Surprises
The women’s tournament also saw its fair share of unexpected outcomes:
- Roger Williams’ 19-15 victory over Cabrini in a high-scoring affair
- St. John Fisher’s narrow 14-3 win against Mount Union
- William Smith’s dominant 17-1 performance against Rhodes
These results demonstrated that in tournament play, anything can happen, and underdog teams can rise to the occasion.
Individual Performances and Standout Players
Throughout both tournaments, several players distinguished themselves with exceptional performances, contributing significantly to their teams’ success.
Men’s Tournament Standouts
Notable individual performances in the men’s tournament included:
- Tufts’ offensive powerhouse, who led the team with multiple goals in their 27-5 victory over Emmanuel (MA)
- RIT’s goalkeeper, who made crucial saves in their 20-8 win against WestConn
- Salisbury’s midfield general, who controlled the tempo in their 18-10 victory over Colorado College
These players’ contributions were instrumental in their teams’ tournament runs and highlighted the individual talent present in Division III lacrosse.
Women’s Tournament Stars
The women’s tournament also saw outstanding individual efforts:
- Middlebury’s attacking midfielder, who scored multiple goals in their 19-4 win over SUNY Geneseo
- Colby’s defensive anchor, who shut down Babson’s offense in their 20-8 victory
- William Smith’s goalkeeper, who made crucial saves in their narrow 6-5 win against St. John Fisher
These performances underscored the high level of skill and competitiveness in Division III women’s lacrosse.
Impact of the Tournament on Division III Lacrosse
The 2023 NCAA Division III Lacrosse Championships had a significant impact on the sport at this level, showcasing the quality of play and the passion of the athletes involved.
Growth of the Sport
The tournament highlighted the continued growth and development of lacrosse at the Division III level. The competitive matches and high level of skill displayed throughout the tournament demonstrated that Division III lacrosse is thriving and attracting talented athletes.
Increased Visibility
The championship games and key matchups received increased media coverage, bringing more attention to Division III lacrosse. This visibility can help attract future players and fans to the sport, further strengthening its position in the collegiate athletics landscape.
Inspiration for Future Players
The tournament served as an inspiration for young lacrosse players aspiring to compete at the collegiate level. The performances of teams and individual players demonstrated the opportunities available in Division III lacrosse and the high level of competition that exists.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Division III Lacrosse
As the 2023 NCAA Division III Lacrosse Championships concluded, attention turned to the future of the sport at this level.
Emerging Programs
The tournament highlighted several emerging programs that could become powerhouses in the coming years. Teams that performed well or pulled off upsets may see increased recruitment and support, potentially changing the landscape of Division III lacrosse.
Evolving Strategies and Tactics
The championship games showcased evolving strategies and tactics in lacrosse. Coaches and players will likely study these matches to refine their approaches for future seasons, potentially leading to innovations in playing styles and game plans.
Continued Growth and Competition
The success of the 2023 tournaments bodes well for the continued growth and competitiveness of Division III lacrosse. As more schools invest in their programs and the level of play continues to rise, future championships promise to be even more exciting and closely contested.
The 2023 NCAA Division III Lacrosse Championships provided thrilling action, unexpected outcomes, and memorable performances. As the sport continues to evolve at this level, fans and players alike can look forward to more exciting tournaments in the years to come.
2023 Division III Men’s Lacrosse Official Bracket
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Printable Bracket |
FINAL
Maine Maritime 7
Emmanuel (MA) 12
FINAL
Ill. Wesleyan 19
Aurora 10
FINAL
Tufts 27
Emmanuel (MA) 5
FINAL
York (PA) 18
Cabrini 9
FINAL
Denison 15
Ill. Wesleyan 10
FINAL
Lynchburg 11
St. John Fisher 10
FINAL
Tufts 22
York (PA) 7
FINAL
Denison 8
Lynchburg 14
FINAL
Tufts 17
Lynchburg 9
FINAL
Centre 11
Pfeiffer 9
FINAL
Salisbury 18
Colorado Col. 10
FINAL
Amherst 17
SUNY Geneseo 11
FINAL
Wash. & Lee 21
Centre 10
FINAL
Swarthmore 17
Grove City 18
FINAL
Salisbury 14
Amherst 10
FINAL
Wash. & Lee 13
Grove City 10
FINAL
Salisbury 12
Wash. & Lee 9
Semifinals
Championship
Semifinals
FINAL
Tufts 15
RIT 11
Tufts
Salisbury
FINAL
Salisbury 12
Chris. Newport 8
FINAL
New England Col. 9
WestConn 17
FINAL
St. Mary’s (MD) 10
Merchant Marine 5
FINAL
RIT 20
WestConn 8
FINAL
Williams 10
Babson 16
FINAL
Middlebury 10
St. Mary’s (MD) 9
FINAL
Union (NY) 15
Western New Eng. 13
FINAL
RIT 0
Babson 0
FINAL
Middlebury 19
Union (NY) 10
FINAL
RIT 16
Middlebury 6
FINAL
John Carroll 23
Lake Forest 2
FINAL
Chris. Newport 17
Hope 9
FINAL
Gettysburg 22
Scranton 9
FINAL
Dickinson 19
John Carroll 3
FINAL
Kenyon 11
Stevens 20
FINAL
Chris. Newport 17
Gettysburg 12
FINAL
Dickinson 12
Stevens 10
FINAL
Chris. Newport 12
Dickinson 11
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2023 Division III Women’s Lacrosse Official Bracket
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Printable Bracket |
FINAL
SUNY Geneseo 22
SUNY Canton 4
FINAL
Trinity (CT) 22
Plymouth St. 4
FINAL
Babson 23
Westfield St. 8
FINAL
Messiah 13
St. Mary’s (MD) 2
FINAL
Middlebury 19
SUNY Geneseo 4
FINAL
MIT 10
Trinity (CT) 11
FINAL
Colby 20
Babson 8
FINAL
TCNJ 14
Messiah 6
FINAL
Middlebury 22
Trinity (CT) 9
FINAL
Colby 14
TCNJ 9
FINAL
Middlebury 12
Colby 7
FINAL
Rhodes 15
Merchant Marine 5
FINAL
Mount Union 13
Aurora 11
FINAL
Roger Williams 19
Cabrini 15
FINAL
William Smith 17
Rhodes 1
FINAL
St. John Fisher 14
Mount Union 3
FINAL
Tufts 24
Cortland 10
FINAL
Wesleyan (CT) 19
Roger Williams 6
FINAL
William Smith 6
St. John Fisher 5
FINAL
Tufts 11
Wesleyan (CT) 8
FINAL
William Smith 14
Tufts 4
Semifinals
Championship
Semifinals
FINAL
Middlebury 22
Franklin & Marshall 13
Middlebury
Gettysburg
FINAL
William Smith 10
Gettysburg 15
FINAL
DePauw 14
Lake Forest 8
FINAL
Roanoke 22
Bryn Athyn 3
FINAL
Denison 18
Hope 10
FINAL
Kenyon 18
DePauw 9
FINAL
Pomona-Pitzer 24
George Fox 7
FINAL
Franklin & Marshall 16
Roanoke 14
FINAL
UChicago 9
Denison 10
FINAL
Kenyon 3
Pomona-Pitzer 11
FINAL
Franklin & Marshall 15
Denison 6
FINAL
Pomona-Pitzer 13
Franklin & Marshall 18
FINAL
Capital 21
Transylvania 11
FINAL
Chris. Newport 17
JWU (Providence) 7
FINAL
Wash. & Jeff. 11
Meredith 16
FINAL
Stevens 7
Scranton 5
FINAL
Wash. & Lee 22
Capital 5
FINAL
Gettysburg 15
Chris. Newport 6
FINAL
Salisbury 20
Meredith 3
FINAL
York (PA) 8
Stevens 6
FINAL
Wash. & Lee 8
Gettysburg 11
FINAL
Salisbury 10
York (PA) 12
FINAL
Gettysburg 17
York (PA) 8