Le Moyne bested Dowling, 12-5, to take its second Division II Men’s Lacrosse Championship in three years May 28 in Philadelphia. The Dolphins also won the title in 2004.

The championship game matched Le Moyne’s top-ranked defense against Division II’s most prolific offense. Dowling averaged 15.6 goals per game coming into the championship, but the Golden Lions were held to their lowest goal total all season in the championship game.

Though Le Moyne didn’t waver in its season-long mission to protect the goal, the Dolphins also chose the championship game to release a flurry of offense, led by Mike McDonald, who scored four times.

Head coach Dan Sheehan noted the team’s ability to perform well in any situation.

“This is the most determined group of 18- to 22-year-olds I’ve ever been around,” he said. “We were fortunate this year to have a group that does it on both ends of the field. We were able to send our senior class off the field with two national championships and only two losses in their career.”

Le Moyne’s victory was not assured early on — Dowling jumped out to an early 2-1 lead before five minutes had elapsed. Golden Lions’ goaltender Nick Tracey played tough, saving 11 shots from reaching the net.

Once the Dolphins calmed their nerves before the crowd of 23,990 at Lincoln Financial Field, they jumped back into the game, tying the score at two and then taking the lead for good on a goal from McDonald late in the first quarter. McDonald, named the tournament’s most outstanding player, scored again to lead off the second quarter, and Le Moyne never looked back. The Dolphins allowed Dowling just one more goal in the first half and posted a 5-3 lead at the break.

The Dolphins extended their cushion to 9-5 late in the third quarter, boosted by a pair of goals from sophomore Brian Cost. Le Moyne held the Golden Lions to only two second-half goals and none in the last 30 minutes.

LeMoyne finished the year 18-0, which adds to a 62-2 record over the last four seasons. The Dolphins’ 2004 championship team also was unbeaten. Dowling’s final record is 12-2, with its only regular-season loss coming against conference foe C.W. Post. The Lions were making their first appearance in the championship game.

Semifinals

LeMoyne        7          2          9          4 — 22

Limestone      0          1          1          1 —  3

LeMoyne scoring: Mike McDonald 7, Ed Street 4, Brian Cost 3, Ryan Lewis 2, Jason Longo 2, Tom Donahue 1, Craig Rosecrans 1, Pete Gibbons 1, Nate Evans 1.

Limestone scoring: Brad Partridge 1, Colin Bell 1, Harley Beekman 1.

Shots: LeMoyne 58, Limestone 18. Goalkeeper saves: LeMoyne (Jared Corcoran and Doug McIver) 6, Limestone (Marty Ward) 15.

Dowling          1          4          7          4 — 16

Mercyhurst     0          1          3          0 —  4

Dowling scoring: Chris Dupignac 3, Ryan Campbell 3, Nick Cotter 3, Dylan Evans 3, C.J. Leary 2, Frank Sommo 1, Timothy Witt 1.

Mercyhurst scoring: Greg Stocks 2, Andrew Schuster 1, Matt Spahr 1.

Shots: Dowling 46, Mercyhurst 29. Goalkeeper saves: Dowling (Nick Tracey and Leyland Davis) 12, Mercyhurst (Mike Bringley) 16.

Championship game

LeMoyne        3          2          4          3 — 12

Dowling          2          1          2          0 —  5

LeMoyne scoring: Mike McDonald 4, Brian Cost 2, Jason Longo 2, Matt Cassalia 2, Mike McLaughlin 1, Nate Evans 1.

Dowling scoring: Dylan Evans 1, C.J. Leary 1, Chris Dupignac 1, Ryan Campbell 1, Keith Powers 1.

Shots: LeMoyne 39, Dowling 28. Goalkeeper saves: LeMoyne (Jared Corcoran) 12, Dowling (Nick Tracey) 11.