Keiser Holds Off Cumberlands to Win Tournament Title

MARIETTA, Ga. - It was a tussle, but No. 3 seed Keiser fended off a pesky Cumberlands squad to win 11-9 in claiming the 2025 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Lacrosse Tournament championship on Saturday.

The semifinal and championship rounds were held at Lupo Family Field on Life's campus in Marietta, Ga.

Keiser never trailed, and the score was tied only once. Yet, fourth-seeded Cumberlands would not give up the fight. Leading 2-1 after the first, Keiser opened up a 5-1 advantage before Cumberlands pulled within 5-3. Vincent Cerasuolo scored a few minutes before the half to give the Seahawks a 6-3 halftime edge.

Evan Barton scored with 6:31 left in the third to pull the Patriots within 7-6, but a 4-1 stretch put the Seahawks up 11-7 with 3:00 remaining in regulation. Cumberlands scored twice during the final two minutes, but could not cut the margin any closer, as Keiser won 11-9 and secured the championship.

This is Keiser's second-ever AAC Tournament championship and first since 2023.

Ryan Stowell of Keiser tallied six goals and one assist during the semifinal and championship rounds, earning him Tournament MVP honors. Joining him on the All-Tournament are Kegan Hufford, Shane Cassidy, and Lucus Green of Keiser; Nick Kava, Owen Hebenstreit, and Gabe Schwaiger of Cumberlands; Liam Murphy and Dillon Ziemba of Webber International; Luke Greer and Zach Dixon of Reinhardt.

With the tournament title win, Keiser receives an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, which is set for May 7-10 in Savannah, Ga.