“The fact that there are so many local players on the team will make this weekend’s victories even sweeter. You are BALTIMORE COUNTY’S team!”

Greater Baltimore’s top elected leaders have joined forces to wish the Towson men’s lacrosse team great success in this weekend’s NCAA Lacrosse Championship being held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Tigers face Ohio State in a tournament semifinal clash on Saturday, May 27, at noon.

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Baltimore City Mayor Catherine E. Pugh joined Baltimore City Council President Jack Young and the entire Baltimore City Council in congratulating Head Coach Shawn Nadelen and the men’s lacrosse team on a “truly magical season.”

“We certainly take extra pride in knowing that you are not only representing the entire state, but our home county as well,” Kamenetz said in a letter to the team. “The fact that there are so many local players on the team will make this weekend’s victories even sweeter. You are BALTIMORE COUNTY’S team!”

Pugh issued a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the citizens of Baltimore.

“In recognition of your advancement to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Men’s Lacrosse semi-finals,” the May 26, 2017, proclamation read. “You continue to contribute to your university’s legacy in the field of lacrosse.

“It is with pride and enthusiasm that the citizens of Baltimore join other lacrosse fans in witnessing your journey to victory,” the proclamation concluded.

Young and the City Council issued a similar resolution wishing the Tigers well.

“To the Towson University Men’s Lacrosse Team, in recognition of your team’s…appearance in the NCAA lacrosse final four.” the City Council resolution stated, “The entire membership extends best wishes on this memorable occasion.”

Towson President Kim Schatzel expressed her appreciation for the strong show of support the team and university have received.

“I want to thank County Executive Kamenetz, Mayor Pugh and City Council President Young—the region’s top elected leaders—for supporting and cheering on the Towson Tigers, Greater Baltimore’s premier collegiate sports team,” Schatzel said.

“All of us at Towson University are incredibly proud of Coach Nadelen and our men’s lacrosse team,” she added. “They have brought tremendous excitement to our campus and to all of Tiger Nation. I am eager to join the team and our fans in Foxborough to cheer us on to victory. Go Tigers!”

TU reached its first NCAA Championship Weekend since the 2001 campaign after knocking off second-seeded Syracuse, 10-7, last Sunday in Newark, Delaware. The Tigers are making their third NCAA semifinal appearance since elevating to Division I in 1980, joining the 1991 and 2001 squads.

Saturday’s clash is a rematch for the Tigers, who fell to Ohio State, 6-3, in a bitterly cold matchup in March at Unitas Stadium. After winning the CAA title on May 6, Towson moved up in the national polls. In the final USILA coaches' poll, Towson was ranked No. 11. In the Inside Lacrosse media poll, the Tigers moved up one spot from the previous week, to No. 12.

The final media poll will be released at the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament.

With a win over Ohio State tomorrow, the Tigers would meet the winner of the Maryland–Denver semifinal on Monday, May 29, at 1 p.m.