The National Association Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the qualifiers for the NAIA National Invitational and the men's lacrosse team has secured an at large bid. The Cardinals will be one of eight teams to compete at the invitational which will serve as the NAIA's championship. The Cardinals will face Indiana Tech for the third time this season in the first round. This marks the first time in program history that the Cardinals have earned a bid to the NAIA invitational.
The 2021 season has been historical for the Cardinals in more ways than one. The team has managed to navigate through the unpredictability of COVID and secured the most wins in program history. The Cardinals completed their regular season with an overall record of 8-2. Their two losses came in the competitive WHAC as they lost to Siena Heights and No. 2 Indiana Tech. The Cardinals achieved their highest ranking in program history as the NAIA placed the Cardinals 6th in the coaches poll. The Cardinals earned the second seed in the WHAC tournament last week and advanced to the championship after defeating Aquinas 17-13 in a thrilling rematch. The Cardinals eventually lost to Indiana Tech 13-4 in the championship game finishing with a program best mark of 8-3 overall.
The Cardinals finished 7th in the last NAIA coaches poll announced on Sunday afternoon. This led to the Cardinals at-large bid in the NAIA Men's Lacrosse National Invitational. The invitational will be held in Savannah, Georgia with the Cardinals set to play Indiana Tech in the first round. The Cardinals and Warriors will square off for the third time this season on May 6th at 7pm. The NAIA recognizes men's lacrosse as an emerging sport which classifies the championships event as an invitational.
A tournament preview along with additional game details and information will be available next week.
