Salisbury University lacrosse crushes undefeated Tufts to bring home 13th national title

A 13th Division III Men's Lacrosse National Championship is on its way back to Salisbury University, as the Sea Gulls Men's Lacrosse team (22-1) defeated an undefeated Tufts University (22-1) by 17-12 on Sunday to win the Division III Men's Lacrosse National Championship.

This was a battle between the two top DIII Lacrosse teams in the country, as Tufts, who have been a familiar foe for Salisbury through the years in their chase for national championships, walked into the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia as the undefeated, No. 1-ranked team in the country. But the Sea Gulls left the Linc with a commanding victory and their hands on yet another National Championship under head coach Jim Berkman.

Salisbury never trailed in the game, jumping out to an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter behind two goals from Brice Bromwell. The Sea Gulls would go up by as many as eight goals in the first half, and led 10-4 at halftime, with James M. Bennett alum Luke Nestor and Jude Brown adding two goals each.

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Tufts threatened to make a comeback in the third, scoring five goals and closing the deficit to three heading into the final quarter, but Salisbury would shut them out the rest of the way, while cushioning their lead in the fourth as they closed in on their 13th National Championship.

Bromwell led the way on offense with four goals, while Brown, Nestor and Salisbury's all-time points and goals leader Cross Ferrara each recorded hat tricks on the day. Jack Dowd also added two goals and two assists, while Charlie White and John DeFazio added one goal each. Sea Gulls goalie Nicholas Ransom recorded 16 saves in the win.

Salisbury's latest national title ties the squad with Hobart for the most national championships won by DIII men's lacrosse teams.