NEW HAVEN, Conn. (April 29, 2026) – No. 1 seed Wilmington University and No. 2 seed Chestnut Hill College earned closely-contested home victories on Wednesday during the semifinal round of the 2026 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Men’s Lacrosse Championship tournament. Wilmington and Chestnut Hill will meet in the championship final on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Wilmington University Athletics Complex in Newark, Del. The Wildcats were the predetermined hosts of the final.
Wilmington got past No. 5 seed Holy Family University, 10-9, on Wednesday afternoon in Newark to advance to its third consecutive final. Chestnut Hill, which has now reached the final in all but one of the eight tournaments in CACC history, returned after a year’s absence with a 12-7 victory over No. 3 seed University of Bridgeport on Wednesday evening in Lafayette Hill, Pa. The winner of Saturday’s game not only earns the conference championship but will claim the CACC’s automatic berth into the NCAA Division II North Region Championship tournament.
Wilmington is seeking its first CACC championship. Chestnut Hill will be playing for the program’s fifth conference title, having won each year from 2021-24. The teams are meeting in the final for the fourth occasion. The Wildcats defeated the Griffins, 11-8, in this year’s regular-season meeting on March 21 in Newark.
Tickets for the championship final of the 2026 CACC Men’s Lacrosse Championship are $10 for adults, and $5 for children, senior citizens (65+) and students with valid identification. Children under three years of age will be admitted free. See the Championship Central page to follow the tournament online, buy tickets, and purchase championship apparel.
No. 1 WILMINGTON 10, No. 5 HOLY FAMILY 9
The Tigers (8-7) led after each of the first three periods, but goals by Carter Barrie and Domanik West midway through the fourth quarter put the Wildcats up 10-8, and the hosts held on from there. Wilmington (11-4) featured nine different goal scorers and Julian Businksy paced the defense with six ground balls and four caused turnovers. Brian McGarvey was 14 of 20 on faceoffs. Jake Feeney scored four goals and Adam Wickel made 14 saves for Holy Family.
No. 2 CHESTNUT HILL 12, NO. 3 BRIDGEPORT 7
Leading, 9-7, after three periods, the Griffins (9-4) held the Purple Knights scoreless in the fourth to pull away. CHC goalie Adam Daley helped offset a 43-33 shot disadvantage for his team by making 17 saves. Jake Ballerini led the hosts with five points, while teammate Aidan Owens had six ground balls and three caused turnovers. Matthew Levatini scored four goals for Bridgeport (9-7).
2026 CACC MEN'S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round (Saturday, April 25 at Higher Seed)
#5 Holy Family 18, #4 Post 17 (OT)
Semifinals (Wednesday, April 29, at Higher Seeds)
#1 Wilmington 10, #5 Holy Family 9
#2 Chestnut Hill 12, #3 Bridgeport 7
Championship Final (Saturday, May 2, at Wilmington University, Newark, Del.)
#2 Chestnut Hill at #1 Wilmington, 11 a.m.
Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 20 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 17 sports – seven for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.