ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Bowdoin men's lacrosse team's magical run through the NCAA Division III Tournament came to an end in a 19-11 setback to RIT in the national semifinals Sunday afternoon.
 
The Polar Bears couldn't dig themselves out of an early hole and finish one of the most successful seasons in program history with a record of 14-6 and the team's first-ever NCAA "final four" appearance. RIT advances to the national title game on Sunday, May 26 in Philadelphia.
 
Game Highlights

• RIT opened the game on a four-goal run in the first seven minutes of the contest, but Bowdoin replied with a 3-0 surge, closing the gap to one goal by the end of the first quarter thanks to a Matt Ward goal at the end of the frame.
• RIT opened the second period on another four-goal surge and carried an 8-4 lead into intermission. The Tigers continued to roll into the second half, notching the first five goals of the half to push their lead to nine goals, 13-4, late in the third.
• Bowdoin finally found its footing offensively, and scored five times in a span of eight minutes, highlighted by a pair of Jason Lach goals, to cut into the RIT advantage, making it 14-10 with 10:56 to go.
• The Polar Bears had a chance to cut into the lead further on its ensuing possession, but a shot by Matt Ward hit the post and RIT gathered the loose ball, scored on their next offensive trip, and slowly pulled away in the closing moments.

By The Numbers

• Matt Ward scored a hat trick for Bowdoin while Jason Lach and Oliver Bernstein added two goals apiece.
• Will Byrne finished with a goal and four assists to finish his record-breaking campaign with 52 goals, 63 assists, and a school-record 115 points. His three-year Bowdoin career ends with 294 points, trailing only Tom Ryan '93's 315.
• Robert Hobbs had 13 saves in the game while Ethan Barnard finished winning 17 of 33 faceoffs and a team-best ten ground balls.
• RIT went 3-4 with the extra-man and held Bowdoin scoreless in three attempts. The Polar Bears were also victimized by 18 turnovers in the loss.
• Bowdoin ends its campaign with 14 wins – tied for the fourth-most in program history – and the school's first-ever NCAA Quarterfinal win and semifinal appearance.