The No. 1 ranked Ithaca College men’s lacrosse team lost to Tufts University 19–7 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship on May 18. This was the Bombers’ first loss since March 5 and only its second loss of the season. However, this loss brings their season to an end.

The Jumbos took charge of this game from the first faceoff as they got out to an early 3–0 lead with goals from senior attackman John Uppgren, junior midfielder Zach Richman and sophomore midfielder Zach Lesko. Sophomore attackman Jake Cotton scored the Bombers’ first goal of the game but was answered almost immediately by junior attackman Austin Carbone to end the quarter with Tufts leading 4–1.

Junior attackman Jack Shumway scored the lone goal of the second quarter for the South Hill squad while it allowed seven goals to the Jumbos. Carbone scored three of his game-leading eight goals, Richman netted two and Uppgren and senior midfielder Garrett Clarke each scored one goal.

The Blue and Gold allowed seven more goals to the Jumbos in the third quarter and were stifled to only two goals, both off of the stick of freshman midfielder Josh Della Puca. Carbone scored one goal in between Della Puca’s two and then netted three straight goals. Uppgren and Richman each scored one to close out the quarter.

Della Puca completed his hat trick in the third quarter with his third goal and the Bombers’ fifth goal of the game. Uppgren responded for Tufts, scoring his fifth goal of the game, but then the Bombers closed out the game with goals from senior midfielder Michael Walker and sophomore midfielder Stephen Morrell.

Seven goals ties the Bombers’ season-low for goals in a game, the same as what they scored in their first loss of the season to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Bombers only lost by one goal in that matchup.

Tufts will move on to the semifinals of the NCAA Championship against St. Lawrence University.