Colgate to Host Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Tournament

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - For the second straight season, hosting responsibilities for the Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Tournament came down to the final contest of the season between Bucknell and Colgate.

A year ago, Bucknell went into Hamilton, N.Y., and picked up a victory on the road to clinch the tournament's top seed and hosting responsibilities.

The Raiders paid that back Friday night.

Peter Baum's goal with two seconds left in regulation was the difference as No. 13 Colgate outlasted 18th-ranked Bucknell 11-10 to clinch the top seed and hosting duties for the 2012 edition of the League's men's lacrosse tournament, set to get underway next Friday.

The Raiders' victory also solidified the tournament's matchups. Colgate will take on Bucknell for the second time in as many weeks, as the Bison drop to the fourth seed. Colgate will host Bucknell Friday at 5 p.m. in the first semifinal contest. Lehigh settles for the No. 2 seed and will go head-to-head with third-seeded Army in the second semifinal scheduled for 8 p.m.

The Raiders trailed 6-2 at halftime of Friday's contest, but scored four unanswered goals in the third quarter to even the game entering the final 15 minutes.

Colgate's victory drops Lehigh to the second seed. The Mountain Hawks can finish tied with Colgate at 5-1 in the Patriot League standings to share the regular-season title, but the Raiders' 11-10 overtime victory over Lehigh April 7 in Hamilton gives them the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Mountain Hawks close the regular season Saturday at 2 p.m. at rival Lafayette.

Army, which has made the Patriot League Tournament eight straight seasons, is the third seed. The Black Knights will battle Lehigh in the other semifinal next Friday in Hamilton, N.Y. Lehigh posted a 7-6 win in the regular-season meeting March 17.

The 2012 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Tournament begins Friday with the two semifinal contests and concludes Sunday, April 29 with the championship game at 3 p.m. All three games of the tournament will be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network, with Dave Ryan on the call and Evan Washburn providing the analysis.

For more on the men's lacrosse tournament, click here.