Rockville Centre, N.Y.- For the first time in program history, the #3 men's lacrosse team is headed to the National Semifinal after defeating #7 Saint Michael's College, 12-7, in the NCAA Quarterfinal. Molloy improved to 16-3 on the season, while the Purple Knights finished 2026 with a 10-6 record. The Lions move on to a date with local top-seeded Adelphi for the right to play in the National Championship in what will be the most important and high stakes game in the program's history.
How it Happened
- The Molloy offense wasted no time making a statement, going ahead 4-0 in the first eight minutes. Senior Brian Green found the back of the net off the first shot of the day to get things started before adding a second just two minutes later.
- Freshman Jaden Simick scored midway through the first frame before senior Jake Taylor followed a minute later.
- Sean Murphy buried a behind-the-back shot on the extra-man advantage for the Purple Knight's first goal of the contest to break the run.
- The visitors then cut the deficit to two, taking advantage of a failed clear attempt that caught senior goaltender John Basile out of the net in transition.
- Gulachenski came up with a huge save on the doorstep during a 5-on-2 opportunity for the Molloy offense, but after the reset, sophomore defender Liam Taylor beat him high over the right shoulder to extend the lead to 5-2.
- A bouncing shot from Noah Verineau slipped past Basile to begin the second quarter.
- J. Taylor answered with his second goal of the evening to push the advantage back to three, 6-3.
- Senior Tommy Corcoran spun past Saint Michael's defenders and found the back of the net for his first goal of the game.
- Murphy cut the Lions' lead back down to three goals a minute later.
- Basile came up with a big stop in the final minute of the second during a two-man-down situation before carrying the ball over midfield to drain time off the penalities.
- While still on the man-down, Green fought through a double team, drew a flag, and scored to make it 8-4 with 16 seconds remaining in the first half.
- Sophomore Jack Dankenbrink scored his second goal of the season to start the third quarter.
- Murphy netted his third goal of the game in transition to make it 9-5.
- Molloy capitalized on a turnover after junior Rocco Hogan intercepted Braeden Murphy's pass, which led to a numbers advantage in transition, setting up senior Justin Palulis to give the Lions a five-goal cushion.
- Owen Balfour answered with a bouncing shot to cut the deficit to 10-6.
- Corcoran restored the home teams five-goal lead heading into the fourth quarter.
- Saint Michael's capitalized on a 30-second man-up opportunity, scoring midway through the advantage to make it 11-7.
- Palulis sealed the Lions' 12-7 victory with an empty net goal in the final minute of play.
Top Performances
- J. Taylor led the Lions with four points, recording two goals and two assists.
- Green (3 goals), Corcoran (2 goals, 1 assist), and Hammon (3 assists) each finished with three points on the evening.
- Palulis added two goals, while Dankenbrink, Simick, and L. Taylor each found the back of the net once.
- Senior Brandon Pazienza collected a game-high eight ground balls.
- Senior Thomas Kofod and sophomore Aiden Dinnigan each caused two turnovers.
- Basile made 15 saves in net.
Up Next
The Lions advance to the National Semifinal on Sunday (May 17) at 1:00 p.m. in Garden City. The contest will be the second time in as many years that the Lions and the Panthers met in the postseason and will be the second time in 2026 that the two will tango.
