The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has joined the Ivy League and Patriot League in canceling all spring sports competitions and practices in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S., ending prematurely the lacrosse season for 17 teams.

Defending conference champion Marist was the frontrunner in MAAC men’s lacrosse, picking up an eye-opening 17-9 win over Army earlier this season.

On the women’s side, Monmouth stood atop the MAAC with a 6-2 overall mark, though conference play had not yet started to affect either set of standings. The Hawks’ three-game winning streak included a win over Rutgers.

[Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates Related to Lacrosse]

As of this report, the Ivy League, Patriot League and MAAC are the only Division I conferences that have outright canceled spring sports. The Atlantic Coast Conference and Colonial Athletic Association have suspended all athletic activities indefinitely, while the Northeast Conference implemented a hiatus through March 29. 

The MAAC shutdown is effective Friday, March 13. The conference also canceled the remainder of its conference basketball tournament currently being held in Atlantic City, N.J.

“The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Council of Presidents regrettably decided to make these challenging decisions to prioritize the health and safety of our student-athletes and out of concern for the broader health and well-being of our various school communities,” the statement said.

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— #MAACSports (@MAACSports) March 12, 2020

US Lacrosse Magazine is keeping tabs on cancellations and suspensions as they materialize. Follow updates here.