Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Gators enter the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) women’s lacrosse playoffs Thursday as the only undefeated team in the conference. The Gators are 5-0 in conference play this season, earning the top seed and home field advantage in the CSAC post-season. “This has been an exciting season for our Gators,” said Renee Bostic, Director of Athletics and Wellness at NDMU.

Thursday’s semifinal game against Centenary University (NJ) will be played in Baltimore, on Alumnae Field. In their regular season meeting in earlier this month, NDMU downed the Cyclones 20-6 in their highest single game goal total of the season. This year, the Gators have defeated each of their conference opponents by 10 or more goals.

Notre Dame heads into the CSAC post-season to defend their CSAC Championship from the 2019 season, defeating Keystone College 19-8. Their 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In CSAC post-season honors announced Wednesday, the Gators were recognized with three major awards including NDMU’s first lacrosse CSAC Coach of the Year recognition going to Kari-lei Berry in her first complete season with the team. Two NDMU student-athletes also took home two top awards with Sara Morales ’23 being named CSAC Rookie of the Year and Michaela Seay ’21 being named CSAC Defensive Player of the Year. A total of nine Gators were also named to All-Conference teams.

The semifinal game against Centenary on Thursday is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. start time. With the top seed and home field advantage, a win for the Gators on Thursday would see them hosting the CSAC Championship for the first time in program history on Saturday. The second seed Wilson College is hosting the third seed Keystone on Wednesday in Chambersburg, Pa. The winner of that game will advance to the CSAC Championship.

Due to COVID restrictions spectators will be limited to three guests per player or member of the coaching staff for both teams, with additional information found on the Gators’ webpage.