AMHERST, Mass. -- The No. 1 Saint Joseph's defense came to play, holding No. 4 Massachusetts to just one first quarter goal, three first half goals and only two goals in the final 13 minutes to narrowly defeat the Minutemen, 11-9, in the first Atlantic 10 Men's Lacrosse Semifinal on Thursday evening at Garber Field.

The Hawks forced 23 Massachusetts turnovers and goalie Tommy Gross saved 11 shots to lead a stout defensive effort. Alex Keener had five groundballs and four caused turnovers, while Gavin Tygh led the Hawks with eight groundballs on the day.

Offensively, Saint Joseph's were led by Levi Anderson who had four goals and an assist, three of the four in the second half to answer every UMass run.

Saint Joseph's got out to a 3-1 lead from two Griffin Mallory goals, but UMass would answer to make it a 4-3 game at halftime. Anderson scored two in the third to extend the Hakws lead to 8-5. But Grant Breyo and Shane O'Leary goals to close and open the third and fourth quarter made it a one goal game at 8-7 early in the final frame. After UMass' Mike Tobin made it 9-8 with 9:25 to play, the Hawks defense buckled down and didn't allow another goal until the final minute.

Goalie Matt Knote was tremendous in cage for the Minutemen, securing 19 saves for a 63.3 save percentage. 

The Hawks defense held UMass to just nine-of-34 shooting, a .264 shooting percentage on the day.

Saint Joseph's, ranked No. 14 in the nation, advances to their first ever A-10 Men's Lacrosse Championship game and will face the winner of No. 2 Richmond and No. 3 High Point on Saturday, May 4 at 1:00 p.m.