EDISON, NJ (Apr. 26, 2026) – The first round of the 2026 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship wrapped up Sunday afternoon in North Andover, Mass., as Merrimack College defended its home field with a win over Quinnipiac University.
No. 4 Merrimack 14 | No. 5 Quinnipiac 12
Duane Stadium | North Andover, MA
Box Score
Merrimack came away with a hard-fought win in a tightly contested matchup, holding off Quinnipiac in a back-and-forth battle from start to finish.
The game opened with both teams trading early goals, setting the tone for a competitive first half. Neither side was able to pull away, with Merrimack matching every Quinnipiac push to keep the score tight at the break. In the second half, Merrimack elevated its play at key moments, capitalizing on offensive opportunities while the defense came up with crucial stops to maintain control. Quinnipiac continued to apply pressure and kept the game within reach, but Merrimack answered each run to preserve the lead down the stretch.
Ultimately, Merrimack’s composure and timely execution proved to be the difference as they closed out the win in a closely fought contest.
Merrimack Notes and Notables
- Merrimack controlled the offensive pressure with 36 shots on goal compared to Quinnipiac’s 22
- John Savino led the way with three of Merrimack’s 14 goals
- Colin Kruger contributed two assists, teaming up with Savino on the attack
- A balanced scoring effort saw 8 different players account for Merrimack’s 14 goals
- Merrimack limited mistakes with just seven turnovers, compared to Quinnipiac’s nine
- The Warriors scored three goals in the opening three minutes before going into the half tied, 9-9.
- With the win, Merrimack advances to the Semifinal Round against Siena University
- The two teams met earlier this season, with Merrimack earning a 14–6 victory over Siena
Quinnipiac Notes and Notables
- Quinnipiac’s goalkeeper posted 22 saves, while Merrimack recorded 10 in net
- Nate Watson led Quinnipiac with four goals, accounting for a third of their total offense (12 goals)
- Quinnipiac outscored Merrimack in the second quarter, 5–4, helping swing momentum in a tight game
- Despite Merrimack’s offensive pressure, Quinnipiac capitalized on key scoring opportunities to stay competitive throughout
- Quinnipiac also took the regular season matchup between the two teams, carrying that prior win into postseason play
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 13 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 45th year of competition during the 2025-26 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist University, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena University.
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