By Corey Wheeler, '18

With the anticipated welterweight championship between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao just hours away, it only seems fitting that Albion College delivered the knockout blow in the championship game of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Men's Lacrosse Tournament.

Tim Urso scored four of Albion's first five goals as Albion staggered Adrian by jumping out to an 8-1 lead in the second quarter. Despite some tense moments in the fourth quarter, Albion punched its ticket to the NCAA Division III Championship with a 17-10 victory over the Bulldogs.

"We talked about this game being round two (after Albion won the regular season matchup to secure home field advantage for the tournament championship)," Head Coach Jake DeCola said. "We talked about this being a heavyweight brawl, and in a heavyweight brawl you have to keep your hands up, you can't go down in a knockout.  We knew we had to close the deal in round two at our place and our plan was to get good punches in and go hard the whole game and stand our ground here in our own place."

Albion led 10-4 early in the third quarter, but the margin melted to 11-8 on Adam Findlay's score with 11:26 left. Alexander Dziewit, the MIAA's Offensive MVP, delivered Albion's counter punch, scoring twice in three minutes and the Britons built the lead back up to 13-8. First-year midfielders Brandon Lebioda and Kyle DeCamp scored 15 seconds apart and Albion coasted to the seven-goal win.

"We have a lot of weapons and part of our game plan was to make sure that we are getting them involved," Coach DeCola explained.  "We are peaking at the right time of the year so it is a nice problem to have to figure out who we are going to get out on the field and what weapons we are going to use."

Goalkeeper Kyle Formanczyk played exceptional for the Britons, making 14 saves. Several saves came on shots from point-blank range and he never let Adrian gain momentum.

"Kyle was huge. He really embraced the game plan and took advantage of his chances and really shutting them down when he needed to," Brett Wetzel, the assistant coach who oversees the defense, said. "He made some huge saves that really got the team going and that led to success on the offensive end as well."

Formanczyk received support from senior defender Matt Spinney and first-year midfielder Brandon Lebioda who worked to contain Adrian attackers Brett Maguire and Luke Bill. Doug Boyd was Adrian's top scorer with four goals.

Selections for the NCAA Division III Championship will be announced at 9 Sunday night via webcast on ncaa.com.

"I have no idea what to feel right now," DeCola said after the Britons' first MIAA Tournament championship. "The boys are really happy, and I know the college is really proud of them. This win speaks about the men that came before our current team and how they laid the foundation for the current success."