(Photo by Jillian Tumblin)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The national champions will get to defend their title.

South Carolina (13-3) – the 2019 MCLA champs – will be returning to the 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance after defeating Georgia Tech (13-3) in a 17-15 shootout at the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference championship at the Bolles School.

The Gamecocks earn an automatic qualifier to nationals, which will be held in Round Rock, Texas, from May 9-14.

It was a close game throughout and the two squads were still tied at 15 with 2:43 remaining in the contest. South Carolina would put the game to rest during that time with a pair of markers against the stout Yellow Jacket defense.

This will be South Carolina’s third visit to nationals, where they have a 6-1 combined record. Georgia Tech will await its at-large fate on May 1 when the tournament is selected and seeded.

2022 SELC Division I Tournament

First Round – April 16 – Callaway Stadium
Game 1: #2N South Carolina d. #3S Auburn, 23-7
Game 2: #2S Florida State d. #3N Georgia, 8-6

Semifinals – April 23 – Bolles School
#1N Georgia Tech d. #2S Florida State, 18-9
#2N South Carolina d. #1S Florida, 12-6

Finals – April 24 – Bolles School
#2N South Carolina d. #1N Georgia Tech, 17-15