The No. 11 Lindenwood men's lacrosse team came into today's game with some momentum after defeating conference rival Seton Hill in back-to-back close games. The Lions hoped that momentum would carry them to a victory of last year's ECAC champion, the No. 6 Lake Erie Storm. Lindenwood would have to settle for a runner-up finish in the ECAC, after an 11-8 loss. McNein Hewitt scored his second consecutive hat-trick for the Lions, but it wasn't enough to get past the Storm.

The first quarter was quiet, Hewitt found the back of the net to put Lindenwood up 1-0, but Lake Erie answered to even the score at one apiece going into the first break. Lake Erie got off eight shots on goal in the period, but Ben Besancenez had seven saves to keep the Lions tied.

The second-half saw a lot more action, with the Storm scoring the first goal of the second quarter to take a lead. Hewitt answered back with his second goal of the game to even the score at two. Josh Coons scored a goal put Lindenwood up 3-2. Lake Erie scored three goals to take the lead. David Corazalla scored an unassisted goal to put the deficit at one goal.  Lake Erie scored two goals before halftime, including one that was scored as time expired to take a 7-4 lead going into the half.

The Lions came out of halftime strong, scoring the first two goals. Max Troha for the first and a man-up goal by Corazalla on an assist from Jon George to put the score at 7-6. After a Lake Erie goal, George scored Lindenwood's second man-up goal of the quarter to bring Lindenwood within one going into the fourth.

Lake Erie scored two goals to put Lindenwood in a tough spot, down three with five and a half minutes left. Hewitt quickly answered back to put Lindenwood back within two, but that would be Lindenwood's last goal of the day. The final score would be 11-8 in favor of the Storm.

Besancenez was everywhere in goal, accumulating 16 saves in the game. Lindenwood lost the shots on goal battle 27-18. Lake Erie put pressure on Lindenwood, forcing them to turn the ball over an uncharacteristic 26 times.

The loss wraps up the ECAC Tournament for the Lions during its most successful season since joining the NCAA. Finishing second in the ECAC is the best finish in program history. Lindenwood's record is 14-3, with all three losses coming to ranked opponents.