In just its fourth season of existence, the Indianapolis men’s lacrosse team is one step away from NCAA championship weekend.
UIndy advanced to the Division II semifinals in dramatic fashion Saturday, rallying from three goals down in the final five minutes of regulation and then defeating Belmont Abbey 14-13 on Drew Billig’s goal 39 seconds into overtime. Matthew Johnson led all scorers with six goals.
The Greyhounds, who are 4-0 this season in overtime, will play Limestone next Sunday with a trip to Philadelphia on the line. The top-seeded and undefeated Saints survived some high drama in their quarterfinal, defeating Tampa 12-11 in double overtime after the Spartans’ Andrew Kew had a would-be game-winner waved off due to an illegal crease dive in the first overtime.
Clark Walter won it for Limestone, finishing a feed from Brian Huyghue 44 seconds into the second overtime. Huyghue scored the game-tying goal with 16 seconds left in regulation.
Northeast 10 rivals Le Moyne and Merrimack, the defending NCAA champion, will meet in the other semifinal.
The Dolphins, the top seed in the North, eased past Mercy 14-4.
The Warriors advanced to the semifinals for the fifth straight year, avenging a surprisingly lopsided loss to Adelphi in the regular season with a 14-12 victory Saturday. Merrimack erased an early three-goal deficit and went ahead for good in the third quarter. Christian Thomas led the way with three goals and two assists.
NCAA Division II
Quarterfinals
North
(1) Le Moyne 14, (4) Mercy 4
(6) Merrimack 14, (2) Adelphi 12
South
(1) Limestone 12, (4) Tampa (2OT)
(3) Indianapolis 14, (2) Belmont Abbey 13 (OT)