Final Four Rewind 🔁
Dickinson Shocks RIT in a Gritty Gauntlet of a Game- Dickinson 12, RIT 10
In a game that will go down as one of the most disciplined and clutch performances in Dickinson lacrosse history, the Red Devils stunned perennial powerhouse RIT 12–10 in front of a raucous home crowd in Rochester, punching their ticket to the program’s first-ever national championship appearance.
Dickinson came out fast and fearless, igniting a 4–1 first quarter behind a scorching hat trick from senior leader Charlie Baughan, who set the tone early with back-to-back unassisted goals and later added the dagger in the final minute of the fourth. His blend of shiftiness and physicality was too much for RIT’s close defenders to handle from the opening whistle. The second quarter slowed into a defensive slugfest, but Dickinson’s man-up execution gave them just enough cushion to take a 5–3 lead into halftime, thanks to Landen Hyatt’s first of three goals on the day.
The third quarter was pure chaos. RIT clawed back to tie the game at 5–5 with back-to-back strikes from Clifford Gaston, but just when momentum tilted orange, Dickinson ripped off a backbreaking five-goal run. Scoring came from all over Luke Whalen, Ethan Gess, Ramsey Huggins, and two more from Hyatt, including a second EMO finish as the Red Devils overwhelmed RIT in transition, dominated extra-man situations, and executed with precision in their half-field sets. Even as Chase Bruno and Ian Dinga tried to rally the Tigers with a fourth quarter push, Dickinson’s defense stood tall. Led by an unsung but gritty unit, the Red Devils forced contested shots and controlled the ground game over the final four minutes to seal the win.
Baughan finished with four goals and an assist, capping off one of the most clutch performances of the tournament. Hyatt was the silent killer, finishing with three goals and an assist, including two key man-up conversions. Gess contributed two goals and a helper, quarterbacking EMO sets and bringing glue to the midfield unit. On the RIT side, Bruno notched three goals and an assist, remaining the Tigers’ emotional leader and most dynamic threat. Gaston and Dinga added two goals apiece, but the lack of depth scoring hurt RIT when it mattered most.
Tactically, Dickinson’s short-stick defensive midfield was outstanding, holding up well against RIT’s invert-heavy looks and avoiding unnecessary slide-and-recover chaos. The Red Devils’ EMO unit went a perfect 2-for-2, including Hyatt’s third-quarter insurance tally that halted RIT’s comeback attempt. While the faceoff battle was mostly even, Dickinson won the draws that mattered particularly following momentum-swinging goals and in the closing minutes. On the other end, RIT’s defensive rotations looked a step slow during Dickinson’s third-quarter explosion, repeatedly exposed by crisp ball movement and relentless off-ball motion.
Dickinson didn’t just pull off an upset they earned it with elite execution, mental toughness, and a belief that never wavered. Now, with Boston on the horizon and the biggest game in program history up next, the Red Devils are marching into the national championship with swagger, momentum, and a shot at taking it all.
Key Performers
Charlie Baughan (Dickinson) – 4 goals, 1 assist
The senior attackman delivered a legacy performance, scoring three unassisted goals in the first quarter to spark Dickinson’s fast start. He added the game-sealing dagger with 40 seconds left, capping off a five-point night that will be remembered in Red Devil history.
Landen Hyatt (Dickinson) – 3 goals, 1 assist
Hyatt was clinical on the man-up, finishing two EMO opportunities, including a critical third-quarter tally that stemmed RIT’s comeback. He also assisted on Ethan Ferrant’s key transition goal in the final seconds of the third quarter.
Ethan Gess (Dickinson) – 2 goals, 1 assist
Gess contributed in all phases scoring twice, including a momentum-swinging goal midway through the third, assisting on a man-up tally, and providing steady leadership in the midfield.
Chase Bruno (RIT) – 3 goals, 1 assist
Bruno gave the Tigers life with timely goals, including a slick unassisted strike in the first and back-to-back tallies in the third. His offensive spark kept RIT in it, but Dickinson’s defense eventually bottled him up late.
Clifford Gaston (RIT) – 2 goals, 1 assist
Gaston helped RIT tie the game at 5–5 with two quick goals in the third quarter and dished a key assist later. His athleticism in space was a challenge for Dickinson, especially in unsettled situations.
Ian Dinga (RIT) – 2 goals
Dinga scored twice in the fourth quarter to keep RIT within striking distance. Both goals came unassisted, showcasing his dodging ability under pressure.
Ethan Harkins (RIT) – 2 goals
Harkins tallied twice, including a key game-tying goal early in the third quarter. He was one of the few Tigers able to find daylight against Dickinson’s gritty defensive unit.
Ethan Ferrant, Ramsey Huggins, Luke Whalen (Dickinson) – 1 goal each
This trio delivered timely goals in the third quarter to break open the game. Ferrant’s finish with 26 seconds left in the third was a backbreaker after RIT had just closed the gap to two.
Tufts Overwhelms Bowdoin in Record Breaking Offensive- Tufts 26 – Bowdoin 11
In front of a strong home crowd at Bello Field, the undefeated Tufts Jumbos (22–0) delivered a masterclass in offensive efficiency and depth, dismantling Bowdoin 26–11 to secure a spot in the DeeThreeLax National Championship. From the opening whistle to the final buzzer, Tufts looked every bit like the nation’s top team, setting a program record for goals in a semifinal and leaving no doubt about their championship pedigree.
The tone was set early. Despite Bowdoin briefly taking a 2–1 lead behind a pair of goals from star Patrick Fitzgerald, Tufts wasted no time responding. Jack Regnery, Max Ettinghausen, and Will Emsing each notched first-quarter goals, flipping momentum and giving Tufts a 4–2 lead after one. It was the beginning of an avalanche.
The second quarter saw Tufts unleash a relentless 10-goal barrage that overwhelmed the Polar Bears. Brooks Hauser buried three goals during the stretch, Regnery added two more, and even when Bowdoin answered with five of their own — the Jumbos always had a quick counter. Their combination of ball movement, off-ball cutting, and transition play left Bowdoin scrambling, and Tufts carried a commanding 14–7 lead into halftime.
Tufts showed no signs of slowing down in the second half. They added four more in the third quarter, led by Regnery, who tallied his fifth and sixth goals. Victor Salcedo chipped in with a career-first NCAA tournament goal, further igniting the home crowd. Bowdoin managed just one goal in the frame, and any hope of a rally faded fast.
With the game firmly in hand, Tufts kept their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter, pouring in eight more goals from a variety of contributors. Harrison Stockdale, Beau Keough, Ethan O’Neill, and Callum Wood all found the scoresheet, with Wood closing the game with back-to-back goals to cement the 26–11 final. It was an exclamation point on a dominant night.
Tufts’ offense was a thing of beauty quick ball movement, smart spacing, and unselfish assists that resembled a hockey team more than a lacrosse squad. Their transition game was lethal, often capitalizing on Bowdoin’s failed clears or rushed passes. The Jumbos’ ride was suffocating, creating chaos and turning defense into fast-break opportunities.
Defensively, Bowdoin simply couldn’t match Tufts’ depth or pace. Their short-stick defensive middies wore down early, and their slide packages broke down as the game progressed. Even when Bowdoin won faceoffs, Tufts’ tenacious ride often got the ball right back.
This was more than just a semifinal victory it was a statement. Tufts didn’t just beat a good team, they dismantled a top-five program in every facet of the game. At 22–0, the Jumbos now stand one win away from a perfect season. Their offense is multidimensional, their ride is elite, and their depth is unmatched.
For Bowdoin, it’s a tough end to a fantastic 16–4 season. But on this night, they ran into a buzzsaw. Tufts looked like a team on a mission and next up is the biggest stage of all.
Key Performers
Jack Regnery (Tufts): 6 goals, 1 assist
The senior attackman was clinical, scoring in all four quarters and constantly finding soft spots in Bowdoin’s defense. Regnery’s poised finishing and leadership anchored the Tufts offense throughout.
Max Ettinghausen (Tufts): 4 goals, 1 assist
Ettinghausen was dynamic from the midfield, showcasing speed and versatility both on-ball and off-ball. His second-quarter surge helped blow the game wide open.
Brooks Hauser (Tufts): 3 goals, 2 assists
The do-it-all midfielder played a complete game dodging, facilitating, and drawing slides that opened up space for others. His fingerprints were all over Tufts’ second-quarter dominance.
Garrett Kelly (Tufts): 3 goals, 1 assist
Kelly’s savvy play and decision-making in the two-man game consistently exposed Bowdoin’s defensive rotations. He quietly put together one of the most efficient performances of the night.
Patrick Fitzgerald (Bowdoin): 5 goals
The junior sniper gave everything he had, scoring five of Bowdoin’s 11 goals including a man-up tally in the fourth. Even in defeat, Fitzgerald’s toughness and scoring ability were on full display.
Casey Ryan (Bowdoin): 2 goals, 3 assists
Ryan tried to keep the Polar Bears competitive, mixing dodging and facilitating duties. But faced with constant pressure from Tufts’ aggressive short sticks, he struggled to generate sustained offense.
Up Next: Tufts vs. Dickinson in the DeeThreeLax National Championship
If this weekend’s performances are any indication, we’re in for an epic finale.
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