James Madison Claims Top Seed in AAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship
IRVING, Texas – Following a gripping overtime victory, James Madison University has secured its place as the No. 1 seed for the upcoming 2025 American Athletic Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship. The event is scheduled to take place on May 1 and 3 at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex in Norfolk, Virginia.
Thrilling Road to the Championship
Ranked No. 11 in the latest ILWomen and IWLCA polls, the Dukes clinched their top seed with a narrow 14-13 triumph over East Carolina. This victory not only improved their season record to 12-4 but also marked their sixth consecutive win.
Historical Context
This marks James Madison’s second regular-season title in just three years within the American Athletic Conference. The team has consistently reached the championship final in its inaugural seasons and will be aiming for its first tournament championship this year.
Matchup Details
James Madison is set to face No. 4 seed Vanderbilt in the tournament opener, slated for May 1 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Vanderbilt secured its spot in the championship by defeating Old Dominion 16-6, concluding its regular season with a record of 9-8. This will be the Commodores’ fifth appearance in the American Championship, having previously reached the finals in 2022.
Other Semifinal Matchup
The second semifinal will showcase No. 2 seed South Florida up against No. 3 seed East Carolina at 7:15 p.m. ET on the same day. Both teams finished tied for second in the conference, each holding a 4-2 record in their regular season. South Florida, however, earned the higher seed due to a previous head-to-head victory over East Carolina.
East Carolina’s Journey
Despite the recent overtime loss to James Madison, East Carolina concluded its regular season with a record of 7-9. Notable for competitive games, the Pirates faced eight one-goal matches this season, including their last four contests.
Viewing Information
Fans can catch all games of the American Athletic Conference Championship live on ESPN+. Additional details and updates can be found on the conference’s Championship Central site.
