PHILADELPHIA — The Virginia men’s lacrosse season ended with sudden-death heartbreak Saturday as Brian Tevlin scored 29 seconds into overtime to give Notre Dame (13-2) a 13-12 triumph over the Cavaliers (13-4) before 32,107 fans at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Fighting Irish advanced to Monday’s title game against top-seeded Duke, which edged Penn State 16-15 on Garrett Leadmon’s goal 65 seconds into overtime.
Connor Shellenberger had three goals and three assists for UVA, which got three points from Thomas McConvey (one goal, two assists), and Patrick McIntosh (two goals, one assist).
UVA goalkeeper Matthew Nunes recorded 17 saves, and short-stick defensive midfielder Grayson Sallade recorded two caused turnovers and tied for a team-high four ground balls.
UVA held Notre Dame’s man-up unit, the nation’s best based on percentage, scoreless on its three extra-man opportunities.
Neither team led by more than two goals, though Petey LaSalla’s goal with 8:54 left in regulation put Virginia ahead 11-9. The Cavaliers kept that lead until goals by Chris Kavanagh and Eric Dobson in a 31-second span pulled the Irish even at 11 with 2:07 remaining. Dobson netted a game-high four goals.
McConvey scored off a Shellenberger assist to give UVA a 12-11 lead with 52 seconds remaining. Notre Dame won the critical ensuing face-off, though. Shortly after the Irish called timeout, Jake Taylor took a Tevlin pass and forced OT with his tying goal at the 32-second mark.
Will Lynch beat LaSalla on the draw to start overtime, and Notre Dame never let UVA gain possession.