(Photo Courtesy of Boston U. Athletics)

The 2023 Patriot League Tournament gets underway on Tuesday, May 2 with the quarterfinals. The semifinals and title game will be on Friday, May 5 and Sunday May 7.

Boston U. will play host to the semifinals and title game as the top seed.

The Bracket

The Teams

No. 1 Boston U. (10-3, 7-1 Patriot League)

A year after winning the Patriot League for the first time in program history, Boston U. is looking to remain on top of the conference as it comes into the tournament as the top seed once more. The Terriers’ lone conference loss came via a 10-8 upset bid at Navy.

Star Player: Vince D’Alto, Attack

The leader of an offense where its fierce attack unit is the headliner that also includes Timmy Ley and Louis Perfetto, D’Alto has tallied 64 points off 41 goals and 23 assists thus far. He leads the way for an offense that has averaged 14 goals per game through the regular season.

X-Factor: The Boston U. Ride

Boston U. likes to deploy the 10-man ride and often finds much success with it. This season the Terriers have held their opponents to a 78% clip in the clearing game. That includes holding Army to 77% last time out in the game to decide the top seed of this tournament.

Player to Watch: Roy Meyer, D/LSM

Meyer is the headliner of the Terriers defense once again this season. He is arguably one of the most versatile poles in the league and country, as a whole. Meyer has currently recorded 28 caused turnovers, grabbed 62 ground balls, and scored three goals.

No. 2 Army West Point (10-3, 7-1 Patriot League)

Despite losing 19 seniors off last year’s squad, there has been no slowing down at West Point. Army has run through the Patriot League with its only blemish being a loss to Boston U. in the season finale.

Star Player: Reese Burek, Attack

The senior has emerged as a balanced leader for this Black Knights offense. Burek has netted 29 goals and dished out 22 assists this season for a total of 51 points. He combined for 10 points (7G/3A) in Army’s last two games.

X-Factor: Will Coletti, Faceoff

After a strong freshman campaign in 2022, Coletti has only improved as a sophomore in 2023. He has gone 184-for-299 (61.5%) this season at the dot while also grabbing 125 ground balls, scoring six goals, and dishing out three assists.

Player to Watch: Christian Fournier, LSM

Close defender AJ Pilate and goalie Knox Dent have been the main features of an Army defense this season that has allowed 8.3 goals per game. However, the freshman LSM has been just as impactful as he has made plays all over the field. Fournier has caused 22 turnovers, grabbed 33 ground balls, and has recorded one assist.

No. 3 Lehigh (9-4, 6-2 Patriot League)

Talk around the Mountain Hawks has been quieter than some other teams in the Patriot League this season. However, things have been just as good in Bethlehem with Army and Boston U, being the Mountain Hawks’ only league losses. They also came within two of Georgetown.

Star Player: Mikey Sisselberger, Faceoff

One of the top faceoff men in college lacrosse, Sisselberger has gone 223-for-335 (66%) this season. He leads the nation in faceoff winning percentage.

X-Factor: Attack Unit

Lehigh has, perhaps, one of the most underrated attack units in college lacrosse. The trio of Scott Cole (46G/24A), Christian Mule’ (29G/36A), and Justin Tiernan (38G/9A) has combined for 182 points and 113 goals this season.

Player to Watch: Richard Checo, Defense

The freshman phenom has taken the college lacrosse world by storm, causing 46 turnovers while also grabbing 57 ground balls. He has also dished out three assists. Checo now holds the record for most caused turnovers in a season in Lehigh history.

No. 4 Navy (8-7, 5-3 Patriot League)

It’s been an odd year for the Midshipmen. Navy at one point was 3-6 after having lost six consecutive games with injuries playing a large factor during that stretch. The Midshipmen the won their next four in a row and finished the season on a 5-1 run with that one loss being to Army.

Star Player: 

Max Hewitt, Attack

The only offensive starter to have played and started in all 15 games this season, Hewitt leads Navy with 36 points off 24 goals and 12 assists.

X-Factor: Anthony Ghobriel, Faceoff

The sophomore from the Lone Star State has found his stride at times this season, going 168-for-284 (59.2%) at the dot. When he is on the most Navy often occupies the driver’s seat.

Player to Watch: Jackson Bonitz, Defense

A now three-year starter for the Midshipmen, Bonitz has continued to be Navy’s best defenseman. He leads the team with 22 caused turnovers and has also grabbed 29 ground balls while also tallying three points off a goal and two assists.

No. 5 Loyola (7-7, 4-4 Patriot League)

Loyola started the season as hot as any team in college lacrosse with upset wins over Maryland and Johns Hopkins to open the year. Since those wins, however, Loyola has gone 5-7. That stretch includes blowout losses to Boston U., Army, and Lehigh, as well as a one-goal loss to Navy.

Star Player: Matthew Minicus, Attack

A freshman, Minicus has dealt with injuries this season. However, he has emerged as a focal point of the Loyola offense as he leads the team with 42 points off 20 goals and 12 assists.

X-Factor: Luke Staudt, Goalie

Anchor the Loyola defense, Staudt has made 125 saves with a 52.7% save percentage thus far. His big play ability has been crucial in Loyola’s wins.

Player to Watch: Matt Hughes, Defense

The top close defenseman for this Greyhounds team, Hughes has continued to be a massive piece on the back end this season. He has caused 22 turnovers, grabbed 43 ground balls, scored a goal, and assisted on one.

No. 6 Lafayette (6-9, 3-5 Patriot League)

The Leopards are in new territory as they make their return to the postseason for the first time since 2010. It is the program’s best season since then and best under head coach Pat Myers.

Star Player: Peter Lehman, Attack

Arguably the biggest name on this roster, Lehman has led the Leopards offense for multiple years now. He has 37 points off 29 goals and eight assists this season and leads the team in goals.

X-Factor: Man-Up Scoring

Lafayette features one of the best man-up offenses in college lacrosse, going 50% (25-for-50) on such occasions this season. Kalman Kraham leads the team with five man-up goals.

Player to Watch: Tommy McGee, Defense

McGee has been a leader for the Lafayette defense, causing 14 turnovers and grabbing 35 ground balls. He also has two goals to his name this season.

Tanner’s Picks

Quarterfinals

Lehigh vs Lafayette: Lehigh

Navy vs Loyola: Navy

Semifinals

Boston U. vs Navy: Boston U.

Army West Point vs Lehigh: Army West Point

Championship

Boston U. vs Army West Point: Army West Point