Virginia lacrosse is headed to its first NCAA championship game since it won in 2011, thanks to a brilliant play in sudden-death double-overtime against Duke on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. And this was after the Cavaliers rallied to force the first overtime.
The Blue Devils went up to a 12-10 lead with less than two minutes on the clock in regulation, but Virginia scored twice in the final minute – including with just 14 seconds left — to tie it up.
And after a scoreless first overtime, the Cavaliers capitalized just 51 seconds into the second one for a trip to the title game with the 13-12 win. Virginia’s Ian Laviano scored a beautiful quick-stick goal from Matt Moore for this game-winning stunner against Blue Devils goalie Turner Uppgren.
Laviano finished with four goals on seven shots, while Moore had two goals and two assists in the semifinal game. More via USA TODAY Sports:
“I’m not thinking,” said Laviano when asked to describe the last play. “That’s something that me and Matt have connected on before. Incredible look by Matt, and I just had to do the easiest part and put it in the back of the net.”
Virginia will play defending champion Yale — which beat Penn State 21-17 on Saturday — in the title game Monday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Read more about the two semifinal games over at USA TODAY Sports.
