The University of Richmond men’s lacrosse team won the Atlantic 10 Men’s Lacrosse Championship with an 8–6 victory over Saint Joseph’s at Robins Stadium on May 2, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
This win marks Richmond’s seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in its 13-year history, meaning more than half of the program’s seasons have ended with a tournament berth. The Spiders also achieved their twelfth consecutive appearance in a conference title game and secured back-to-back Atlantic 10 championships for the first time since the 2022–23 season.
Lucas Littlejohn scored the only goal of a defensive first quarter, while goalie Connor Knight made nine saves and contributed two caused turnovers. Richmond forced ten of Saint Joseph’s thirteen turnovers during the game. Hunter Smith and Brayden Penafeather-Stevenson each recorded three caused turnovers, while Kelly and Knight added two apiece. The Spiders led in ground balls by a margin of 34–25, with Penafeather-Stevenson collecting five.
Charlie Packard extended Richmond’s lead early in the second quarter before Saint Joseph’s tied it late in the half. Aidan O’Neil and Daniel Picart scored twice within the final minute before halftime to give Richmond a two-goal advantage at intermission. Picart added another goal early in the third quarter, followed by goals from Gavin Creo and Joe Sheridan as Richmond built its largest lead at four goals.
Saint Joseph’s narrowed the gap with two fourth-quarter goals but could not overtake Richmond before time expired. The win was Richmond’s fourteenth this season, tying a program record set last year.
Six players were named to the All-Championship Team: Sheridan, Smith, Picart, Gaylord, Knight, and Championship Most Outstanding Performer Aidan O’Neil. The team will learn its NCAA Tournament opponent during Sunday night’s selection show on ESPNU.
