PENSACOLA, Fla. (May 12, 2023) - The Webber International University men's lacrosse team advanced to the semifinal of the NAIA National Invitational where it would face No. 1 Keiser University for the third time this season. A steady attack from the Seahawks was too much for the Warriors to overcome in a 15-10 defeat.

Despite forcing the Seahawks (15-1 overall) into 22 total turnovers, the Warriors (16-4) were outnumbered in both shots (39-31) and face-offs (16-10).

The two teams traded blows for the majority of the first quarter as it was tied 2-2 with 6:30 on the clock. Christian Tapia netted the first goal for the Warriors followed by Nick Sheaffer. The Seahawks scored twice more to end the period, however, earning a 4-2 lead entering the second quarter. Webber was outscored in the second quarter as well, 6-3. Keiser continued its scoring run, netting the first four goals to extend its lead to 8-2. Back-to-back man-up goals by Cade McCarron and Jeremiah Loo cut the deficit to four once again. Houston Finlayson found the back of the cage later in the quarter with 13 seconds left but Keiser responded by scoring a last-second goal to end the half.

The Seahawks opened the scoring in the second half to make it 11-5. Blake Nelson recorded his first goal of the game later in the period followed by another goal from Sheaffer with 10 seconds remaining. Sheaffer netted his hat-trick to begin the final quarter of play to pull the Warriors back within three at 11-8. Keiser scored twice in a row to extend its lead yet again and despite two more goals from Dillon Ziemba and Chase Jackson, the lead was too great to overcome.

Jackson led the Warriors in points alongside Sheaffer, each with four. Jackson scored one goal and assisted on three others while Sheaffer scored three and assisted one. They were followed by Loo and Tapia who both added a goal and an assist each. Dane Fasano and Hunter Scott both ended with a team-high in ground balls with four followed by Sheaffer with three. Defensively, Austin Schepers totaled three caused turnovers while Fasano added two.

The Warriors end the 2023 season with an overall record of 16-4, setting a program-best in total wins (16) and reaching their first NAIA National Invitational appearance.