ERIE, Pa. -- Kurtis Woodland recorded three goals and three assists -- and was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player -- as the fourth-ranked Lakers' men's lacrosse team defeated 20th-ranked Lindenwood, 11-7, in the tournament final on Sunday at Tullio Field.

Keyan McQueen and Derek Richards added three goals and two assists for the Lakers (15-2), who scored the game's first five goals and led the rest of the way. Sam Crusha had one goal and one assist, Oran Horn had one goal and Connor Enright made one assist.

Matt Wells was the winning goaltender, finishing 10 with saves. Greg Weyl had five groundballs while Shane Endres and Michael Poe picked up four GBs apiece.

McQueen had two of Mercyhurst's five first goals, helping the host Lakers to a 5-0 through one quarter.

However, the visiting Lions (10-6) did not go away quietly, outscoring Mercyhurst 4-0 in the second period and eventually pulling within 6-5 later in the third. From there, the Lakers outscored their visitors, 5-2, to close the game.

Connor Eskridge led Lindenwood with two goals and one assist. Ben Besancenez had seven saves in goal for the Lions.

Lindenwood outshot Mercyhurst, 30-29, and held an 11-10 faceoff advantage.

With the victory, the Lakers earned the program's first ECAC Tournament championship since 2013 and boosted Mercyhurst's resume toward its fifth NCAA Tournament berth in six years.

Mercyhurst now awaits work from the NCAA, which will hold its selection show on Sunday night. The Lakers will learn the opponent and location for their tournament opener.
 

ECAC All-Tournament Team

Kurtis Woodland, Mercyhurst (MVP)

Shane Endres, Mercyhurst

Keyan McQueen, Mercyhurst

Derek Richards, Mercyhurst

Greg Weyl, Mercyhurst

Matt Wells, Mercyhurst

Josh Coons, Lindenwood

Tyler Eidel, Lindenwood

Connor Eskridge, Lindenwood

Shawn Kimble, Indianapolis

Mitchell Stokes, Lake Erie