Cleveland State Athletics

Adam Van Voorhis carries the ball upfield against LIU during Cleveland State’s regular-season finale in Brookville, N.Y.

Lacrosse falls to LIU in regular-season finale, heads to NEC

The Vikings will get a chance to avenge their loss to the Long Island University Sharks when they meet them again Thursday as the No. 3 seed in the NEC Tournament semifinals.

By KATERYNA KOPYLCHAK – posted April 30, 2026

The Cleveland State lacrosse team closed out its regular season Saturday afternoon with a 12-8 loss to Long Island University in Brookville, New York.

With the loss, Cleveland State moved to 6-7 overall and 4-3 in conference play, while LIU improved to 10-3 and 5-2.

The Vikings enter the Northeast Conference Tournament as the No. 3 seed and will get their chance to avenge Saturday's loss to the Sharks when they face second-seeded LIU in a semifinal rematch at Robert Morris University on Thursday, May 30 at 8 p.m.

Cleveland State started strong, taking a 2-0 lead early in the first quarter behind goals from Xander Johnson and Will Adair with 11:28 remaining. LIU responded with three consecutive goals to take its first lead of the game with 5:35 left in the quarter.

Johnson scored his second goal of the opening frame with 4:11 remaining, sending the game into the second quarter tied at 3-3.

The Sharks opened the second quarter with three unanswered goals, building a 6-3 advantage with 8:19 left in the half. CSU's Griffin Burkey stopped the run with an unassisted goal at the 2:53 mark, and Maddox Johnson added another goal with 45 seconds remaining to bring the Vikings within one. LIU answered with a goal in the final seconds to take a 7-5 lead into halftime.

Cleveland State rallied in the third quarter, as Adam Van Voorhis scored early before Ethan Erker added a goal at the 9:05 mark to even the game at 7-7. LIU regained control with a goal at 3:28 and added another in the closing seconds of the quarter to lead 9-7.

The Sharks extended their lead early in the fourth quarter before Johnson completed his hat trick on a man-up opportunity with 10:05 remaining. LIU sealed the victory with two late goals to secure the 12-8 win.

Johnson led the Vikings offense with four points on three goals and one assist. Van Voorhis added multiple assists, while Drew Graves recorded three caused turnovers and three ground balls.

Robbie Stewart went 5-for-8 in the faceoff circle, and goalkeeper Justin Dalum made 10 saves.