Harford Repeats As Men's Lacrosse National Champions

Courtesy NJCAA

BEL AIR, Md. - The Harford Community College men's lacrosse team defended their national championship title with a 16-6 victory over in-state rival CCBC Essex Sunday at the Harford Sports Complex.

The Fighting Owls avenged their lone loss of the season that occurred to the Knights in the District Championship by winning the ultimate prize: a second straight national title.

Harford's Kohl Wesner was named the Steve Caravana Offensive Player of the Tournament with 11 goals and an assist (12 points) in two games.

The Knights came out of the gates firing with two consecutive goals to open up play and Harford responded with two goals of their own. The first quarter ended with a three all tie. The Fighting Owls then held CCBC Essex scoreless in the second period while they scored three goals to take a 6-3 lead going into halftime.

Harford scored five goals in the final two quarters while only allowing CCBC Essex to score three goals in the third period and locking down on defense in the fourth to hold the Knights scoreless in the final 15 minutes to win, 16-6.

CCBC Essex put together an impressive run to the national championship game as the No. 1 seed. The Knights won their semifinal match-up over Onondaga, 13-8, to force an all-Maryland battle in the national championship game.

Harford's long stick midfielder Ryan Sweiderk was named the Steve Caravana Defensive Player of the Tournament with 14 ground balls and 9 caused turnovers in two games.

Fighting Owls' Head Coach Aaron Verardi was named the Coach of the Tournament.