For the second time in six days, the No. 11 men's lacrosse team defeated the nationally-ranked Seton Hill Griffins. On Friday, the Lions earned a spot in the ECAC Tournament Championship game after a 9-7 victory over No. 9 Seton Hill in Greensburg, Pa.

Leading the way offensively for Lindenwood was senior McNein Hewitt and sophomore Kevin Eskridge, who both had hat tricks and an assist to help give Lindenwood the victory.

The Lions jumped on the Griffins early by scoring the first goal of the game, coming from Eskridge on a pass from Andrew Szczepan. Spencer Elmore would score back-to-back goals, the second coming with just 38 seconds left in the first quarter to put the Lions up 3-0.

Seton Hill scored a quick goal to start the second quarter, but Eskridge quickly put Lindenwood back on track scoring a goal with just under nine and a half minutes left in the second. David Corazalla scored his lone goal of the game to extend Lindenwood's lead to 5-1. The Griffins scored a goal to put the score at 5-2 at halftime.

The third quarter was all about Hewitt. After two Seton Hill goals to shrink Lindenwood's lead to one. Hewitt scored back-to-back goals a minute apart to put the Lions back in control at 7-4. Seton Hill answered with a goal of its own to put the Griffins within two, but Hewitt found the back of the net for a third time in the period to give Lindenwood an 8-5 lead. Seton Hill managed to sneak a goal in with six seconds remaining in the quarter to put the score at 8-6 heading into the fourth.

Seton Hill scored the first goal of the fourth quarter to shrink Lindenwood's lead to one. The Griffins would only have three other shots on goal in the period, and Ben Besancenez would save each of them. Eskridge would secure a Lindenwood victory with a goal with 53 seconds remaining in the game.

The game was evenly played with Lindenwood having 21 shots on goal compared to Seton Hill's 20. The Lions won the groundball battle, bringing in 24 to the Griffins 21. Lindenwood took care of the ball while it was in possession, only turning over the ball eight times.

The win improves Lindenwood's record to 14-2. The Lions will now play for the ECAC Tournament Championship against Lake Erie College on Sunday at 11 a.m. (central time).