The Keiser (Fla.) Seahawks Go Back-to-Back Defeating Madonna (Mich.) in the Title Game

DECATUR, Ala. – [Watch On-Demand] Keiser (Fla.) completed an undefeated season and captured the 2026 NAIA Men’s Lacrosse National Championship on Saturday evening, overpowering Madonna (Mich.) 20-10 at Jack Allen Complex.

Keiser finished the year 15-0 and used a dominant second half, relentless offensive pressure, and a commanding ground-ball advantage to pull away from Madonna (20-2) after the Crusaders trimmed the deficit to one late in the second quarter. The Seahawks outscored Madonna 10-2 over the final 30 minutes while controlling possession and capitalizing on man-up opportunities.

2026 Tournament MVP, AJ Badik, along with teammate Kegan Hufford, led the Keiser attack with five goals apiece, while Marek Albiero added four goals and Ryan Rundle contributed three goals and an assist. Kyle Davis finished with two goals and two assists, and JP Prather dished out three assists.

Madonna was led by Ryan Davis and Ross Preston, who each recorded two goals. Cooper Regimbal also scored twice for the Crusaders.

KU controlled the opening quarter from the start. Rundle scored the game’s first goal less than two minutes into the contest before Hufford added a man-up goal midway through the period. After Madonna briefly cut the deficit to 2-1 on a goal from Rico Hart, the Seahawks answered with a 3-0 run fueled by goals from Hufford, Davis, and Badik to take command. Hufford’s fourth goal of the quarter pushed the lead to 7-3 by the end of the opening quarter.

MU mounted its best push in the second quarter. Owen Barker and Preston each scored early in the frame, and Benjamin Reidy later added a goal to trim the Keiser lead to 9-6. The Crusaders continued to pressure the Seahawks defensively and eventually closed within 9-8 after back-to-back goals from Regimbal and Spencer Guppy in the final three minutes of the half.

Keiser answered immediately before halftime, as Badik scored with 43 seconds remaining to halt Madonna’s momentum and send the Seahawks into the break with a 10-8 advantage.

That sequence proved to be the turning point of the championship game.

The Seahawks dominated the third quarter behind a stifling defensive effort and timely transition play. Rundle opened the second-half scoring before Badik and Albiero scored during a decisive 4-0 run that stretched the lead to 14-8. Keiser goalkeeper Lucas Green anchored the defensive surge with several key saves during the stretch, helping the Seahawks hold Madonna to just one goal in the quarter.

Keiser continued to pour on the offense in the fourth quarter. Albiero opened the period with another goal before Ryan Stowell and Rundle scored to extend the lead to 17-9. Badik and Hufford later added goals during another extended Seahawks run, and Albiero capped the scoring with a man-up goal with 5:55 remaining.

The Seahawks finished with advantages in shots (50-40), ground balls (47-31), and faceoffs (17-16), while also converting four of six extra-man opportunities.

Green finished with 10 saves for Keiser, while Madonna goalkeeper Jonathan Bendfeldt recorded 13 saves despite facing 33 shots on goal.

All-Tournament Team

Keiser (Fla.)
Kyle Davis
Kegan Hufford
AJ Badik
Marek Albero
Shane Cassidy
Chris Rayburn

Madonna (Mich.)
Ross Preston
Spencer Guppy
Daniel Smith
Jonathan Bendfeldt

SCAD Savannah (Ga.)
Mason Hickman

William Penn (Iowa)
Nolan Soller