DECATUR, Ala. - [Watch On-Demand] Keiser (Fla.) used a fast start, strong possession play, and consistent offensive pressure to defeat SCAD Savannah (Ga.), 18-15, Thursday, as the defending NAIA Men's Lacrosse National Champions are headed back to the title game for the second season in a row.

Keiser controlled much of the contest behind an advantage in faceoffs, ground balls, and shot volume, building an early lead before withstanding a late SCAD Savannah rally to advance with the victory.

Keiser established the early tempo behind AJ Badik, who scored twice in the opening quarter as the Seahawks built a 5-2 lead. SCAD Savannah received goals from Travis Cheristin and Jonathan O’Bryant Graves, but Keiser consistently generated quality offensive opportunities through possession control. SCAD Savannah responded in the second quarter with goals from Mason Hickman, Sebastian Manuel, and Philips to trim the deficit to 8-5 at halftime. Keiser maintained its advantage with two man-up goals in the period from Badik and Kegan Hufford.

SCAD briefly closed within 10-8 after goals from Cheristin and Hickman early in the second half, but Keiser answered with a decisive stretch to rebuild separation. Hufford scored twice in the quarter, including a man-up goal, while Badik and Cole Nappi added late scores as the Seahawks carried a 14-9 lead into the fourth quarter. SCAD Savannah mounted a late push with three consecutive goals from Cheristin, Manuel, and Hickman to cut the deficit to 14-12. The Bees later pulled within 16-14 with 3:20 remaining, but Keiser answered behind two fourth-quarter goals from Marek Albiero and another late score from Badik to secure the win.

Key Performers

SCAD Savannah

• Mason Hickman: 5 goals and 2 assists.
• Sebastian Manuel: 3 goals and 3 assists.
• Travis Cheristin: 3 goals.
• Jonathan O’Bryant Graves: 2 goals.
• Keaton Melcher: 16 saves.

Keiser

• AJ Badik: 5 goals and 1 assist.
• Kegan Hufford: 4 goals.
• Marek Albiero: 3 goals and 2 assists.
• Ryan Stowell: 3 goals and 1 assist.
• Kyle Davis: 1 goal and 2 assists.

By the Numbers

• Shots: Keiser 55, SCAD Savannah 32.
• Shots on goal: Keiser 34, SCAD Savannah 22.
• Ground balls: Keiser 45, SCAD Savannah 28.
• Faceoffs: Chris Rayburn won 22 of 35 faceoffs for Keiser.
• Turnovers: SCAD Savannah 24, Keiser 19.
• Clearing: SCAD Savannah 12-of-20, Keiser 12-of-14.
• Man-up goals: Both teams scored three.