MAHTOMEDI, Minn. – After fighting off a late challenge by North Dakota State, St. Thomas won the Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference (UMLC) Division II Tournament championship on Sunday afternoon, 11-7.

With the victory, the top-ranked Tommies (12-1) earn an automatic qualifying berth to the 2018 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, which will be held in Salt Lake City from May 7-12.

This will be St. Thomas’ 13th trip to nationals, where they have won five national championships. North Dakota State (8-2) will find out its at-large fate when the Division II brackets are released next Sunday night.

The Tommies’ defense was the story of the first half as they blanked the Bison for the first 30 minutes, taking a 3-0 lead into the locker room.

The lead expanded to 7-2 in the third quarter before NDSU made a huge push. The Bison went on a 5-1 run to cut the lead to 8-7 midway through the final frame.

St. Thomas answered with the final three goals to seal the win.

2018 UMLC Division II Tournament

First Round – Mahtomedi, Minn. – Friday, April 20
No. 3W Minn.-Duluth d. No. 2E Grand Valley State, 13-10
No. 2W St. John’s d. No. 3E Dayton, 9-8 (ot)

Semifinals – Mahtomedi, Minn. – Saturday, April 21
No. 1W North Dakota State d. No. 3W Minn.-Duluth, 12-9
No. 1E St. Thomas d. No. 2W St. John’s, 15-6

Finals – Mahtomedi, Minn. – Sunday, April 22
No. 1E St. Thomas d. No. 1W North Dakota State, 11-7