JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Reinhardt, ranked No. 15 in the Under Armour MCLA Division II Coaches Poll, raced out to a 4-2 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, stunning No. 4 Kennesaw State, 13-7, in the championship game of the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference tournament.

With the title, the Eagles have earned an automatic berth in the 2016 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, which will take place from May 9-14 in Orange County, Calif. The bracket will be announced on the evening of Sunday, May 1.

Still leading by their two-goal first quarter margin late in the half, Reinhardt (9-4) struck a decisive blow by scoring two goals in the last 12 seconds of the half – the second score coming with just one tick remaining. It expanded the lead to 7-3 and shocked Kennesaw State (13-2).

The lead increased to 9-4 at the end of the three quarters before settling at the 13-7 final.

This will be Reinhardt’s second appearance at the MCLA National Championships, as they qualified in 2014 as the No. 13 seed. Despite the loss, Kennesaw State is expected to have a good shot at earning an at-large bid to nationals.

2016 SELC Division II Tournament Results

Quarterfinals – Friday, April 22
Game 1: #1SW Kennesaw State d. #2SE Florida Gulf Coast, 6-3
Game 2: #1NW Appalachian State d. #2NE College of Charleston, 16-10
Game 3: #2SW Reinhardt d. #1SE Palm Beach Atlantic, 14-4
Game 4: #1NE The Citadel d. #2NW Wake Forest, 7-5

Semifinals – Saturday, April 23
#1SW Kennesaw State d. #1NW Appalachian State, 17-7
#2SW Reinhardt d. #1NE The Citadel, 12-4

Finals – Sunday, April 24
#2SW Reinhardt d. #1SW Kennesaw State, 13-7