University of Richmond
12-3
UMass (Semifinals)
9-6
Spiders Advance to Nation's-Best 11th Straight Conference Title Game with 14–4 Semifinal Win Over UMass
05/01/2025 | Men's Lacrosse
Philadelphia – The No. 10 and top-seeded University of Richmond men's lacrosse team advanced to its nation-best 11th consecutive conference championship game with a 14–4 semifinal win over No. 4 seed UMass on Thursday afternoon at Saint Joseph's Sweeney Field.
The Spiders will face the winner of the second semifinal between No. 2 seed High Point and No. 3 seed Saint Joseph's in Saturday's Atlantic 10 Championship final at noon, with a sixth conference title (second in A-10) and NCAA Tournament berth on the line. Richmond's streak of 11 straight title game appearances is the longest active streak in the nation.
The Spiders struck early and often, jumping out to a 7–0 lead in the first quarter and taking a 10–2 advantage into halftime. The Spiders spread the scoring around as 13 players recorded points and 12 scored goals.
Richmond caused nine of UMass's 17 turnovers, led by Hunter Smith and Mitchell Dunham with two each. The Spiders also converted 3-of-6 extra-man opportunities, with Leo Caine scoring back-to-back man-up goals and Lukas Olsson adding another.
Caine (2 goals, 1 assist), Max Merklinger (1 goal, 2 assists), Jack Ricciardi (1 goal, 2 assists), and Aidan O'Neil (1 goal, 2 assists) each tallied three points. Joe Sheridan, Olsson, and Gavin Creo (2 goals) each added two points, while Evan O'Neil, Lucas Slate, Daniel Picart, Henry Alpaugh, and Lucas Littlejohn all contributed a goal apiece. Jared Chenoy went 10-of-14 at the X and added an assist.
Richmond was nearly flawless on clears, finishing 18-for-19, and held a 29–22 advantage on ground balls. The Spiders dominated possession behind the faceoff trio of Chenoy (10-of-14), Anthony DiCenso (4-of-5), and Jackson Strickland (2-of-3), winning 16-of-22 draws overall.
Goalie Zach Vigue recorded 10 saves in the win.
Richmond has reached the conference title game in every season of its program's existence—doing so across three different leagues (ASUN, SoCon, and Atlantic 10). In 10 previous title game appearances, the Spiders have won five and earned five NCAA Tournament berths.
