YORK, Pa. – The historical and most successful season in the 17-year history of York College men's lacrosse came to a heart-breaking end on Wednesday afternoon at home as the seventh-ranked Spartans suffered a 7-6 loss in overtime to No. 5 Gettysburg College in the 2016 NCAA Championship Quarterfinals. York tied the game, 6-6, with 1:46 left in regulation and then the Bullets tallied game-winner 36 seconds into overtime.

The Basics: 

Game Number: 22

Site: Kinsley Field – York, Pa.

Records: Gettysburg 17-2 / York 18-4

Series: Gettysburg leads 2-1

How It Happened:

• York went down short-handed two minutes into the first quarter on a non-releasable penalty. Gettysburg's Blade Gray tallied a goal five seconds after the one-minute penalty expired while York scrambled to get back to full strength.
• The Bullets received another man-up opportunity less than two minutes after their first and this time they capitalized with the extra man as Tommy Heller went upper left corner with a shot from the left wing.
• The Spartans finally showed some signs of offensive life as Matt Whitcher recorded the first shot of the game for York with 5:09 left in the first quarter. To that point, York had more penalties than shots in the game (3-1 penalty-to-shot margin), but managed to escape the first quarter only trailing 2-0.
• Gettysburg opened the scoring in the second quarter as Mike Distler scored on an over-hand shot from the close left wing.
• Just under a minute after the goal by Gettysburg, York finally got on the board as Hunter Davis finished a one-timer on the doorstep after being set up by Thomas Pfeiffer. The goal by Davis broke a 19:29 scoreless drought to open the game for York.
• York caught a huge break late in the second quarter as the Spartans committed a turnover deep in their defensive zone with the net vacated by Caleb Abney who was caught behind the cage on the clear attempt. Abney managed to sprint back in position and made a huge save as Gettysburg tried to score a quick goal on the empty net.
• The Spartans were not so lucky later in the quarter as a goal by Cameron Leech was waved off for being called in the crease. The goal would have cut the deficit to 3-2 with 2:40 left to play in the first half.
• The Spartans ended the first half with just 10 shots and nine turnovers, while Gettysburg recorded 20 shots, just four turnovers and held an 18-7 advantage in ground balls.
• The Spartans received a two-man advantage for one minute very early into the third quarter, but they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
• Later in the quarter, York caused a turnover on the clear. Whitcher scooped the loose ball and fed a pass up to Brendan McGrath who found Davis in front of the net for his second goal of the game with 6:40 left in the third.
• The Spartans followed up their previous goal with another two minutes later as Nick Magnusson ripped a shot from the wing on a pass from Conrad Ordakowski.
• York rolled with the momentum and took its first lead of the game with 2:57 left in the third quarter as Whitcher connected with McGrath who cut through the defense and finished from close range.
• York started out the fourth quarter by comitting a penalty, but got a huge save by James Anderson on an odd-man rush as the extra-man opportunity expired for Gettysburg.
• Gettysburg eventually got back on the board with as Distler connected with Heller on the fast break to end a 28:59 scoring drought for the Bullets.
• The Bullets then netted a pair of quick goals nine seconds apart to regain a two-goal lead, 6-4, with 9:26 left to play in the fourth quarter.
• The Spartans responded as Austin Glab ripped one home from the right wing after receiving a pass from Andrew Gamble from behind the net.
• York was not done scoring as McGrath circled around the back of the net and slipped a low back-handed wrist shot through traffic and into the back of the net. The goal forced the third tie of the game with 1:46 left in regulation and sent the game into overtime.
• In overtime, the Bullets won the opening face off and then called a timeout once they entered the offensive zone. Shortly after out of the timeout, Distler broke away from his defender on the left side and finished on a one-on-one chance with Abney for the game-winner.

Spartan Leaders:

Brendan McGrath – 3 points on 2 goals and 1 assists

Hunter Davis – 2 goals

Josh Kluver – 3 caused turnovers, 5 ground balls

Conrad Ordakowski – 3 caused turnovers

Billy Sasso – 5-for-14 on face offs

Bullet Leaders:

Mike Distler – 4 points on 2 goals and 2 assists

Tommy Heller – 3 points on 2 goals and 1 assist

Blake gray – 2 goals

Chris Palladino – 4 caused turnovers

Chris Verdeur – 6 ground balls

Connor Sweeney – 10-for-17 on face offs

Goalie Comparison

Jake Adoni (GC) – 60:36, 8 saves, 6 GA, 4 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers (Win, 8-0)

Caleb Abney (YCP) – 54:59, 8 saves, 5 GA, 1 ground ball, 1 caused turnover (Win, 17-3)

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James Anderson (YCP) – 5:37, 1 save, 2 GA

Game Notes:

York has been held scoreless in a quarter three times this season with two of the three occurring in the NCAA Tournament (2nd quarter vs Easter, 1st quarter vs Gettysburg) … the Spartan defense recorded its 17th shutout quarter of the season with today's third quarter … the Spartans had as many penalties in the first quarter as they did shots (three each) … York entered the game averaging 2.33 penalties per game and committed five penalties today … the Spartans entered the game ranked 2nd in country with just 13.14 turnovers per game, but committed 17 turnovers today … today marked just the third game this season York has been out-shot by an opponent … in the regular-season meeting with Gettysburg, York had the advantage in shots, turnovers, ground balls, clears, face offs and penalties, while Gettysburg had the advantage in all of those categories in today's game … in two meetings this season, the games between York and Gettysburg have been decided by a combined three goals … Gettysburg has won all three NCAA games this season by one goal, including overtime-wins in back-to-back games … all six Spartan goals today were scored by a freshman … York and Gettysburg entered the game with the 11th-ranked scoring defense in the country, while Gettysburg entered with the 5th-ranked scoring defense … Gettysburg has not allowed more than 10 goals in a game all season and they have not allowed more than 11 goals in a game since the 2014 season … the Bullets held York to its second-lowest goal total of the season … Gettysburg's last loss was on March 9 in a 9-7 defeat at York … since the loss, the Bullets have compiled a 15-game win streak, the second-longest streak in program history … Gettysburg has now reached the NCAA Semifinals for the second-straight season and the 10th time in program history.

They Said It:

"It was a lot of fun. I love this team and they're so much fun to be around. They're coachable, they're disciplined and they listen. Obviously winning 18 games is fun, but I honestly think if we would have gone 9-9 I would still feel the same way I do right now. I just enjoyed being around this team. I love them and because they know that I love them they are willing to go the extra mile for me and their teammates. When you love the people you work with, it makes for a fun environment everyday. That's become the new norm for this team and that's how we'll be going forward. " – Spartan Head Coach Brandon Childs

"To beat Salisbury for the conference championship and make it this far in the NCAA Tournament, it's definitely the most memorable season I've ever had. We laid out our goals and our plan back in the summer and everyone got on board. We approached this season on a day-to-day basis with the goal to win each day and with that approach we were able to met all our expectations." – Senior Captain James Anderson

Photo courtesy of David Sinclair