If it earns a victory over Merrimack College on Sunday, May 26, Limestone College will move into sole possession of second place on the list of all-time NCAA Division II Men’s Lacrosse National Championships.
The Saints made history on Sunday, May 19, 2019, when they defeated Indianapolis 16-7 in the national semifinals. That propelled Limestone into its record-breaking 12th National Championship appearance. Prior to this season, the Saints were tied with Adelphi with 11 title game appearances.
Adelphi currently holds the title of most National Championship wins with seven (1979, 1981, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001).
Since the calendar changed to 2000, no team has found itself in the championship match more than the Saints. Including Sunday’s contest, Limestone will have appeared in 12 of the 20 championships this century, making it to six straight title matches from 2000-2005.
With a total of five championships each, Limestone (2000, 2002, 2014, 2015, 2017) is currently tied for second in most title game victories with Le Moyne (2004, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2016). NYIT has four championships, LIU (C.W.) Post has three, and Hobert has two. The Division II National Championship bracket was first formed in 1974.
In the Saints’ six National Championship loses, one was in overtime, another was in double-overtime, and one was a one-goal loss in regulation.
Through its first 11 National Championship appearances, Limestone has scored a total of 104 goals. Opponents have scored a total of 106 goals.
Saints head coaches who have won National Championships include Mike Cerino (1), T.W. Johnson (1), and J.B. Clarke (3).
LIMESTONE COLLEGE MEN’S LACROSSE
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RESULTS:
2000
Limestone 10, C.W. Post 9
2001
Adelphi 14, Limestone 10
2002
Limestone 11-NYIT 9
2003
NYIT 9-Limestone 4
2004
Le Moyne 11-Limestone 10 (2OT)
2005
NYIT 14-Limestone 13 (OT)
2012
Dowling 11-Limestone 10
2014
Limestone 12-LIU Post 6
2015
Limestone 9-Le Moyne 6
2016
Le Moyne 8-Limestone 4
2017
Limestone 11-Merrimack 9
2019
Limestone vs. Merrimack
ACCOMPANYING PHOTO: The 2000 edition of the Limestone men's lacrosse team celebrates the programs first national championship.