Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/30/26
From Press Release
The Arcadia University men’s lacrosse team delivered a commanding performance on the road Wednesday night, defeating DeSales, 16-9, in a rain-soaked Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Semifinal. With the win, the Knights advance to the MAC Freedom Championship game for the first time since the 2022 season.
Arcadia (12-6, 5-2 MAC Freedom) was fueled by hat tricks from Joey Ewald and Tristan Johnson, while 10 other players found the back of the net. Alex Greenberg (Freedom), Gavin Lenart (Wilson), Sean Perkinson, Reilly Robichaud (Kingsway Regional), Dylan Garber (Wilson), TJ Shillingford (Downingtown East), Jack Keenan (Allentown Central Catholic), goalie Nate Hudgins (Easton), Jacob Mann, and Will Kazmierski each added a goal in a balanced offensive effort.
The Knights set the tone early, racing out to an 11-1 lead in the first half and never looking back. Arcadia outshot DeSales 51-36, including a 33-16 advantage in shots on goal, and forced 23 turnovers while committing just 14. The Knights also controlled possession, winning the ground ball battle 37-19 and the faceoff battle 16-11, while both teams converted once on extra-man opportunities.
Colin Brockman went 13-for-21 at the faceoff X and led all players with nine ground balls. TJ Shillingford recorded a game-high three caused turnovers. In goal, Nate Hudgins made seven saves while allowing nine goals.
Jake Hurd (Parkland) had three goals for DeSales (8-10).
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Brockman won the opening faceoff, and after an early defensive stop sparked by Aidan Higgins, Reilly Robichaud opened the scoring to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.
• Off the ensuing faceoff win, Dylan Garber connected with Joey Ewald to double the advantage.
• Late in the first quarter, Ewald struck again off an assist from Tristan Johnson to make it 3-0.
• Ewald completed his hat trick early in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 4-0 before DeSales got on the board.
• Arcadia responded with three goals in under a minute: Will Kazmierski scored off a feed from Jack Keenan, Nate Hudgins added a transition goalie goal, and Gavin Lenart finished a man-up opportunity to extend the lead to 7-1.
• Tristan Johnson, Jacob Mann, Dylan Garber, and TJ Shillingford each scored late in the half as the Knights built an 11-1 lead heading into the break.
• DeSales opened the third quarter with six unanswered goals to cut into the deficit.
• Arcadia answered with three straight goals: Sean Perkinson ended the run off an assist from Garber, then set up Johnson before Keenan added another goal to make it 14-7.
• Alex Greenberg opened the fourth quarter scoring off an assist from Perkinson to push the lead to 15-7.
• DeSales added two late goals, but Tristan Johnson completed his hat trick with just over two minutes remaining to seal the 16-9 victory.
