CROWN POINT, Ind. – After defeating rival St. Thomas, 8-5, on Sunday morning, Minn.-Duluth has captured the 2019 Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference (UMLC) Division II championship at the Crown Point Sportsplex.

With the win, the Bulldogs (9-1) earn an automatic qualifying bid to the 2019 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, which will take place in Salt Lake City from May 6-11.

Duluth raced out to a 3-1 lead and appeared ready to pul away, but St. Thomas (5-3) rallied with three unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead into the second half.

The game was tight for much of the third with UMD taking the one-goal bulge into the final frame, 6-5. The Bulldog defense went into overdrive in the fourth, blanking the Tommies and taking the 8-5 final.

Duluth, which has been the top-ranked team for the entirety of the regular season, finds out its seed this evening after the selection committee meets. St. Thomas will be considered for an at-large berth.

The seeds and matchups with be announced on MCLA.us.

2019 UMLC Division II Tournament
(at Crown Point, Ind. – Crown Point Sportsplex)

First Round – April 26
#3W North Dakota State d. #2E Dayton, 13-6
#2W St. Thomas d. #3E St. John’s, 8-7

Semifinals – April 27
#1W Minn.-Duluth d. #3W North Dakota State, 16-10
#2W St. Thomas d. #1E Grand Valley State, 10-7

Finals – April 28
#2W St. Thomas #1W Minn.-Duluth, 8-5