Since the creation of the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament in 2013 only two teams have met for the tournament title. That holds true in 2016 as top-seeded Denison will host second-seeded Ohio Wesleyan in the tournament championship at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 30.
The two teams met on April 16 in Granville where the Big Red came away with a 7-5 victory over their rivals from Delaware. Senior goalie Chris Thomas posted 12 saves as the DU defense held the Battling Bishops to a season-low five goals. Sophomore defensive midfielder Josh Happ had four caused turnovers in the win.
Denison has won 14-straight games dating back to their one-goal loss at then-13th ranked Roanoke on Feb. 25. Additionally, Denison has won 25-straight games at Piper Stadium dating back to 2013.
This is the 96th meeting between Denison and Ohio Wesleyan in lacrosse. Denison leads the all-time series 50-45 while the Bishops hold a slight 2-1 advantage in the previous NCAC Tournament Championship games.
The Big Red advanced to this year's title game by defeating Wooster, 17-8 on Wednesday night. James Meager scored five first half goals helping DU to an 11-2 halftime lead. Denison was ranked sixth in the most recent USILA Division III Top-20 Coaches Poll.
Ohio Wesleyan (13-3) held off Kenyon for an 8-4 victory. The Battling Bishops scored two goals in the final two minutes of regulation to pull away from the Lords. Leading scorer, Max Tennant, scored four goals, running his season total to 56. Ohio Wesleyan was ranked 15th in the most recent USILA Division III Top-20 Coaches Poll.
The winner of Saturday's game will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Ticket prices for NCAC Tournament games are $5 for adults and $3 for students and children 18 and under. Students with a valid ID from an NCAC institution will be admitted free of charge. No containers or backpacks will be permitted and there will be no re-entry allowed. The Denison Sports Network will be providing live video of the championship. Tune in at 2:45 p.m. for the pregame show with DSN broadcasters Nick Morton and Canaan Gebele.
