Lacrosse Team Wins First-ever America East Championship

The lacrosse team celebrates after winning the America East Championship on Saturday.

The University of Hartford men’s lacrosse team is headed to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the America East Championship Saturday with a thrilling upset over Stony Brook.

The Hawks will take on Cornell in the 2011 NCAA Tournament on Saturday, May 14. The Hawks (11-6) and Big Red (13-2) are scheduled to battle at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU at Schoellkopt Field in Ithaca, N.Y. The team will leave the Sports Center on Thursday at noon, and all are invited to join the send-off celebration.

See complete ticket and travel information for Saturday's game.

The Hawks earned their first-ever appearance in the NCAA National Tournament and captured their first America East Conference Championship thanks to the heroics of junior attackman Ryan Compitello, whose game-winner with one second left to play in regulation lifted Hartford to an 11-10 win over the nationally ranked (#13) Stony Brook Seawolves.

Read detailed coverage and see video highlights of Saturday’s America East title game against Stony Brook.

With 11 wins this season, Hartford posted its best record since 2000, when it finished 14-2. In addition, the Hawks, who have won four of their last five decisions, surpassed their win total in the last four seasons combined (eight).

Saturday’s first round match-up will be the first meeting between Hartford and Cornell in both programs’ Division I histories. The Big Red, who also captured their first-ever league championship with a 15-6 win over Harvard on Saturday, are currently riding a 10-game win streak.