Stony Brook University's lacrosse team gave a record LaValle Stadium crowd of 10,024 the thrill of a lifetime and gave No. 1 Virginia the scare of a lifetime Sunday afternoon. But in the end, the Cavaliers hung on for an exciting 10-9 victory in anNCAA Tournament quarterfinal game.
Colin Briggs scored on a pass from Chris Brocklet with 3:45 left to give Virginia a 10-8 lead that held up despite a furious finish. Tom Compitello scored on a pass from Timmy Trenkle with 2:11 left, but the Seawolves were unable to get another good shot on goalie Adam Ghitelman, who was outstanding.
Stony Brook (13-4) erased a 7-5 deficit early in the fourth quarter on goals 20 seconds apart by Kyle Belton and Steven Waldeck. Shamel Bratton put Virginia back on top, 8-7, with 13:40 left, but Crowley tied it for the last time with 5:36 left.
PHOTOS: Stony Brook loses to top-ranked Virginia
Virginia (16-1) had taken a 5-1 lead early in the second quarter before the Seawolves rallied and proved they belonged on the field against the nation's top-ranked team.
Virginia will play Duke in next Saturday's NCAA semifinal game in Baltimore. The other semifinal matches Notre Dame against Cornell. The Big Red easily defeated Army, 14-5, in the first game of the doubleheader at LaValle Stadium.
