SAVANNAH, Ga. – #3 Cumberlands (Ky.) netted seven fourth-quarter goals to pull away in the second half and earn the 15-7 win over #7 Madonna in the second semifinal game of the 2025 NAIA Men’s Lacrosse Championship Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. The Patriots improve to 13-4 on the season, while the Crusaders conclude their season with a 14-6 record.

For the second straight game Cumberlands scored on their opening possession this time on a Mason Miller goal to make it 1-0. Madonna responded a couple minutes later with an unassisted goal from Shane Alexander to tie the game.  The Crusaders goalkeeper Aiden Haver made a pair of saves, however, Will Rogers notched a goal and an assist for the Patriots giving them a 3-1 advantage.

Both defenses applied intense pressure in the second quarter, forcing turnovers in the early going.  Nick Kava connected on a pair of goals, just over a minute apart, to extend the Patriots' lead to 5-1. Nathan Foskey made a trio of saves while the two teams traded goals, making it 6-2 with 3:44 remaining. Madonna started to rally as Nick Bryden sparked a three-goal Crusaders run capped off with Reid Dunavant connecting with Andrew Marszalek for a goal, pulling Madonna within a goal, 6-5, at half.

The defensive battle continued in the third quarter with both goalies making big-time saves to keep it a one-possession game. A goal from Miller midway through the period extended the Patriots' lead to 7-5. Haver added a trio of saves for Madonna, while the Patriots defense recorded a pair of caused turnovers as the fast-paced tempo continued throughout the period.  In the closing minute, Cumberlands tacked on a transition goal to extend their lead to 8-5.

The Patriots carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, adding two transition goals from Maalek Wilson and Gabe Schwaiger to extend their lead to 10-5 with 12:31 remaining.  Madonna responded as Jackson Gradstein found Zachary Lane for a goal a minute later. That was the closest the Crusaders came as the Patriots went on a 5-1 run to close out the game for the 15-7 final.

Cumberlands utilized a balanced attack as Nick Kava, Evan Barton, and Will Rogers notched four points apiece in the win. Mason Miller completed a hat trick, while Jacob Ingle tallied a team-high three caused turnovers and four ground balls. Taylor Long also scooped seven ground balls as Nathan Foskey made eight saves in the win.

Leading the way for Madonna were Zachary Lane and Nick Bryden, who tallied two goals each. Aiden Mulry went 9-13 on faceoffs, while Braeden McCullough notched four caused turnovers and four ground balls in the game. Aiden Haver finished with 17 saves in the contest.

The victory propels Cumberlands into the inaugural NAIA Men’s Lacrosse Championship Game, where they are set to face #1 Keiser, who won their semifinal earlier today. The championship game is scheduled for Friday, May 8, at 7 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium as the quest for the championship title continues.