Saint Joseph’s is once again two wins away from its first NCAA tournament berth. 

To get there, the Hawks will first have to defeat Long Island University in the Northeast Conference semifinals on Thursday. The Hawks beat LIU by four a few weeks ago. They did it without one of their best defenseman.

He had a more pressing birth to worry about.

While his teammates were on Long Island wrapping up their sixth consecutive victory, senior Logan Blondell was in Pennsylvania with his girlfriend, Isabella. The couple was expecting their first child and the due date had passed. Blondell did not want to risk getting stuck in traffic on the Long Island Expressway when his girlfriend went into labor.

“I was a little on edge,” Blondell said. “I tried to think of the positives. Stay calm. Keep breathing. She’ll come eventually.”

He had been on edge for months. Before each practice, Blondell gave his phone to student assistant coach Dillon Lojeski. Blondell would call over to the sideline every few minutes. Soon Lojeski was on edge, too. He assured that if the phone ever rang, Blondell would be the first to know. 

Blondell actually was at a lacrosse field when the time finally came. Isabella started feeling contractions at her younger brother’s lacrosse game. The next day, Lennon Blondell was born. Happy, healthy, and just a little late.

Her father returned to practice the following Wednesday, a changed man.

“It felt like I hadn’t played in five months,” Blondell said “It aged me like two years.”

Maybe his teammates noticed the new level of maturity. Maybe they just wanted to make fun of him. Either way, they greeted the 6-4 defender with a new nickname: “Big Daddy.” 

His teammates also have new nicknames and new roles. “[Lennon] has 60 more uncles,” Blondell said.

Off the field, Blondell is a quiet, mature guy who doesn’t draw attention to himself. On the field, he’s a vocal defender who never stops competing. He has seven caused turnovers, showing that famous patience that helped him during Lennon’s delayed arrival. Blondell, who grew up in the Lehigh Valley, played his freshman season at Johns Hopkins. When his name hit the transfer portal, Hawks coach Taylor Wray knew he was a perfect fit.

“It was an easy decision,” Wray said. “It was whether we could land him.”

The Hawks have gone 21-7 during Blondell’s two seasons on Hawk Hill. They have not lost an NEC game. In the regular season, at least. 

St. Joe’s (12-3, 7-0 NEC) fell short in its most recent chance at the NCAA tourney thanks to a 16-10 loss at the hands of Bryant last year in the NEC final. The loss, which matched the most goals St. Joe’s allowed all year, marked the second time in three postseasons that SJU fell short after going undefeated in conference play.

The team has experience. Blondell, who was named to the NEC all-tournament team last year, is one of 12 seniors on the squad.

“There’s always this extra motivation for the guys who were with us in the championship game,” Wray said. “We did everything over the last 15 games of the season as preparation for right now. We have a veteran group, and they’re motivated.”

Blondell, Patrick Clemens and Joe Burnham lead the defense in front of goalkeeper Robbie Seely, who ranks second in the NEC in goals against average. 

The host Hawks have not lost to LIU (7-7, 4-3) since the Sharks moved up to Division I three years ago. Hobart, the third seed, and No. 2 Bryant, which ended SJU’s season last year, meet in the other semifinal game.

It will be the third game back for Blondell, who returned in time for a senior day victory over Sacred Heart. He’s been well rested, all things considered. Lennon has been sleeping well, and Blondell is quick to point out that Mom has been doing a great job holding down the fort.

When Blondell, who is majoring in business intelligence and analytics, found out he was going to be a father, he didn’t worry about telling his coach. He knew Wray, who has three children of his own, would understand.

“We have a pretty close relationship,” Blondell said. “That’s why he was one of the first people I told. I knew he would be supportive.”

Wray called the whole thing a “unique experience,” but said Blondell has handled it as well as anyone could. As for providing any coaching in his defender’s new role, Wray didn’t hesitate.

“The best advice that I can give him is you have to be present,” Wray said. “You have to be there for everything.”

Lennon already has Big Daddy beat on that front. She was there on the field for Senior Day. In her father’s arms.