Riverdale, NY - For the first time in program history, the University of Mount Saint Vincent men's lacrosse team is headed to the Skyline Conference Postseason Tournament.
The Dolphins clinched their spot following Saturday's regular season finale, a result that, despite ending in defeat, carried far greater significance than the final score. It is a milestone that reflects years of gradual progress within the program, as well as the growth of a roster that has steadily become more competitive within conference play. With a 6–10 overall record and a program-high three conference wins, UMSV now turns its attention to the Skyline Conference Championship Tournament—where the stakes shift, the margin for error disappears, and every possession carries added weight. Standing in their way is a familiar opponent: Manhattanville University.
Across 14 meetings dating back to 2005, the Dolphins are still searching for their first win against Manhattanville. These meetings include this season's earlier matchup on April 8, when the two teams clashed in Riverdale in what proved to be one of UMSV's most competitive performances of the year. Though the Dolphins fell 8–6, the game itself told a more nuanced story. The contest remained tight throughout, tied after both the first and second quarters before Manhattanville created separation with a three-goal third period. Unlike some of the more lopsided results seen in past matchups, this was a game defined by execution in key moments rather than sustained scoring runs. Chai Dunlap and Mattias Remes each scored twice in that game, while Nigel Walker and Isaac Parsons added goals of their own, reflecting the balanced offensive approach that has become a defining characteristic of this year's team. If anything, that game serves less as a reminder of past results and more as a blueprint for what is possible.
As has been the case throughout the season, UMSV's ability to compete begins with possession. The Dolphins have established themselves as one of the strongest faceoff teams in the conference, winning draws at a .622 rate while holding a decisive advantage in total faceoffs won (262–159). Alfred Lamptey, Nathanial Simpson, and Cal Denier have formed a reliable rotation at the X, consistently giving UMSV opportunities to dictate tempo. That advantage was evident in the first matchup with Manhattanville, where the Dolphins won 12 of 17 faceoffs. Yet even with that edge, translating possession into sustained offensive pressure proved to be the difference. Against a Manhattanville team that capitalizes efficiently, controlling possession is necessary, but not sufficient on its own. The next step is turning those opportunities into consistent offensive production.
UMSV's offensive identity has been built on balance rather than reliance on a single scorer. Dunlap (23 goals, 21 assists) and Parsons (23 goals, 12 assists) have led the team in total points, but they are far from alone. Contributions from players like Walker (18 goals, 17 assists), Remes (22 goals, 7 assists), Thomas Vallely (20 goals, 8 assists), and Sam Hall (16 goals, 15 assists) have given the Dolphins multiple options across their attacking sets. That depth proved valuable in the April 8 matchup, where six different players contributed to the scoring effort.
The challenge, particularly in a setting like the Skyline Conference Championship Tournament, lies in efficiency. UMSV averages about 11 goals per game this season, but against Manhattanville, those opportunities were harder to convert, with the Dolphins scoring six goals on 36 shots in the earlier meeting. Creating chances has never been the issue; finishing them, however, will make all the difference.
Defensively, the approach remains consistent: disrupt rather than contain. UMSV has built its defensive identity around effort and physicality, ranking ahead of its opponents in both ground balls (669–556) and caused turnovers (198–189). Players like Brandon Mestres—who, this past weekend, overthrew Head Coach James Fitzgerald's program record with 38 caused turnovers in a single season—along with Marquis Gardner (11 caused turnovers) and Jakob Mahon (14 caused turnovers), have been central to that effort. Against Manhattanville, that disruption will again be critical. In the first meeting, the Valiants generated 44 shots and maintained offensive pressure across all four quarters. While UMSV was able to limit extended scoring runs, the ability to consistently clear the defensive zone and reduce second-chance opportunities remains an area of focus, especially as, in a championship setting, defensive lapses are magnified and preventing momentum swings will prove essential.
Today's matchup also reflects two programs guided by head coaches who have established clear identities within their teams. For UMSV, head coach James Fitzgerald has continued to oversee steady growth, culminating in the program's first-ever postseason appearance. His leadership has helped shape a team that competes across multiple areas, even against stronger opponents, and continues to grow in skill and execution.
Fitzgerald described the moment as both historic and deeply personal, noting that the program's first-ever Skyline Conference Tournament appearance has been "a long time coming." An alum of the program himself, Fitzgerald pointed to the emotional weight of the achievement, saying that messages from alumni and the broader community have made it especially meaningful. "It really is a lot of emotions and just an awesome feeling," he said. "It means a lot more than I expected it was going to."
Reflecting on the impact of his first recruiting class now leading the team into postseason play, Fitzgerald emphasized the trust those players placed in him from the beginning. "For these guys to believe in me four years ago… it means a lot," he said, recalling a period when the program had yet to win a game. "They put their faith in me… and now they get to be a part of something special and make history. They'll always have a special place in my heart forever."
When asked about the team's growth this season, Fitzgerald pointed to resilience and cohesion as defining traits. He highlighted the group's ability to respond to adversity throughout the year, saying they "got punched in the face a few times and just kept getting back up every single time," while continuing to bring consistent energy and a next-man-up mentality. That perseverance, he added, has helped shape what he described as a true "brotherhood," where the players have "really turned into one" group both on and off the field.
Looking ahead to the rematch with Manhattanville, Fitzgerald stressed composure and control as key themes. He noted that the team's messaging this week has centered on "controlling the pace" and "slowing it down," while remaining confident in one another. With the program entering uncharted territory, he acknowledged the pressure but framed it in perspective, saying, "No one expected us to be here… everything now is kind of house money."
Above all, Fitzgerald encouraged his team to embrace the experience rather than be weighed down by it. "Enjoy it," he said. "This is the stuff that in five, ten years you'll be able to tell stories about… you've already made history, so just play free and hopefully create really, really cool memories."
On the opposing sideline, Manhattanville head coach Tom Albano has quickly elevated his program into a consistent playoff presence. Since taking over, Albano has guided the Valiants to multiple Skyline Conference Championship Tournament appearances, including back-to-back semifinal runs in 2024 and 2025. His teams have shown a consistent ability to generate offense and perform in high-pressure situations.
UMSV Men's Lacrosse captain Chai Dunlap said the group is embracing the moment as the Dolphins prepare for its first-ever postseason appearance, acknowledging both the pressure and the opportunity in front of them. "First time ever in the playoffs, it's a lot of pressure on the squad, but I think pressure's what makes diamonds," he said, adding his belief in the group's chances: "I think we can go out there and win."
Dunlap described the team's mindset this week as straightforward and unified, centered around a simple "all or nothing" approach. He emphasized that the roster has fully committed to the moment, noting that "everyone's bought in" and that the group has leaned into the opportunity rather than shying away from it. "We don't have anything to lose, but we… have something to prove, because we've never been in this position before," he said.
That sense of belief, Dunlap added, has translated into a noticeable rise in confidence and effort across the team. He pointed out that players are pushing harder not only for themselves, but for the broader program and those connected to it. "Confidence has risen through the roofs," he said, explaining that the added energy reflects the drive shared among him and his teammates. "We really want to win," Dunlap said. "For our team, for our school, for our coaches, and for the seniors who are graduating… so we can keep this momentum moving forward."
Looking back at the previous matchup with Manhattanville, Dunlap pointed to lessons learned in emotional control and focus. He admitted the group may have been "a little too confident" and got caught up in "negative feedback" and "the other team's trash talk," which impacted their focus late in the game. "If we didn't respond, we would have had more focus on the game and the outcome would have been different," he said. "So if we go into this game neutral-headed… and stay focused, we'll get our desired outcome."
More broadly, Dunlap credited the program's growth this season to improved culture, recruiting, and cohesion within the team. "Before we never had much attention or media to show people we exist," he said. "I think the culture and recruiting profile of the team and the school has improved… and it gave us a big push this year." He also highlighted the impact of a strong freshman class and increased time together as a unit, adding, "We've been together as a team a lot more than we have in the past couple of years… we're brothers."
What makes this matchup different is not just the opponent; it is the Skyline Conference Championship Tournament itself. This tournament introduces a level of urgency that regular season games cannot replicate—there is no opportunity to regroup later in the week, no chance to recover from a slow start. Every possession carries weight, and every mistake has consequences. In a game like this, heartbreak is never far away—often only a single possession, a single mistake, or a single missed opportunity from defining the outcome. For UMSV, that reality presents both a challenge and an opportunity, as they have already proven they can compete with Manhattanville. Their fierce battle this April was not the result of a mismatch, but of small margins—missed opportunities, key possessions, and timely execution. Those same margins will define this game.
The path to a Dolphin victory is clear and familiar: control possession, limit scoring runs, and capitalize on opportunities. The difference now is what's at stake. Tonight, one team will move forward. The other will not.
For UMSV, the opportunity to keep climbing—and to continue making history—is right in front of them. But as head coach James Fitzgerald has emphasized, that opportunity should not come with hesitation. The Dolphins have already accomplished something no team in program history has before. Now, their task is simple: embrace the moment, trust the work that got them to this moment, and play freely. In a game where everything is on the line, the best version of UMSV will come not from pressure, but from playing for the love of the game.
