WINGATE, N.C.  – The 16^th-ranked Queens University of Charlotte men's lacrosse team will advance to the South Atlantic Conference Men's Lacrosse Championship for the third time in four years after defeating No. 20 Catawba College 14-2 tonight. The win improves the Royals' record to 12-3 on the year.
 
Senior defender Griffin Stechmiller led the Royals with his second hat trick of the year. He also had one assist and five ground balls. Eric Fitz totaled two goals while Kealan Pilon and Kevin Barry each recorded one goal and one assist for two points apiece. In goal, Anthony Valenza recorded seven saves.
 
After getting started late due to inclement weather earlier in the day disrupting the full slate of games, the Royals built their lead in the opening half stretching a 4-0 run across the two periods of play. They held the Indians scoreless until Tony Bellotte found the back of the net with 2:35 to play in the half. A goal from Queens' A.J. Curtis assisted by Stechmiller soon followed to give the game a 5-1 score at the break.
 
In the second, Catawba struck first with a goal early in the third to cut the Royals' lead to three again, 5-2. However, that would be the last goal Queens' defense would allow from the Indians as the Royals scored nine consecutive goals to move on to Sunday's Championship game with a 12-point win.
 
Queens outshot the Indians, 32-30, putting 22 shots on goal compared to Catawba's nine shots on frame. The Royals also won 13-of-20 face-offs with Drew Flack winning all 13. Additionally, Queens totaled 42 ground balls while Catawba recorded 23.
 
Cole Fanzo and Tony Belotte each scored one goal for the Indians. In goal, Kevin Geiger totaled eight saves in the loss.
 
The Royals will play in the SAC Championship game against No. 13 Wingate University on Sunday, April 28 at 4 p.m.