FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Jack Runkel of Fairfield helped Loyola University of Maryland men's lacrosse team win its first national championship. Runkel, a sophomore goalie, made six saves as the Greyhounds won Monday's title game over Maryland, 9-3, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Runkel had his own support team including his parents, Richard and Kaelyn. Richard Runkel is the director of admissions at Fairfield Country Day and Kaelyn Runkel is the school's Summer Fun director. A group of Fairfield Country Day parents, students and friends attended the final.
Runkel and the Greyhounds shut out Maryland over the final 40:40 to ice the championship. Maryland came into the title game averaging more than 12 goals per game.
The goalie was one of four Loyola players named to the all-tournament team as the school won its first NCAA title. Loyola finished 18-1 after starting the season unranked. Runkel started 16 games, played in 18 and had a .556 save percentage. He also had 15 saves in a 7-5 win over Notre Dame in the semifinals.
Runkel graduated from Fairfield Country Day School in 2007 and went on to play at Avon Old Farms School.
Loyola's roster also includes Darien's Tyler Foley, Alex Yackery and Justin Shaw.
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