Ball Durham
Fansided

Duke Lacrosse: Blue Devils season ends in heartbreaking fashion in 2OT

By Kevin Connelly

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 25: Jack Simmons #12 and Ryan Conrad #22 of Virginia Cavaliers celebrate in front of John Prendergast #6 of Duke Blue Devils after a goal in the first quarter of the 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship Semifinals at Lincoln Financial Field on May 25, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 25: Jack Simmons #12 and Ryan Conrad #22 of Virginia Cavaliers celebrate in front of John Prendergast #6 of Duke Blue Devils after a goal in the first quarter of the 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship Semifinals at Lincoln Financial Field on May 25, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Duke Lacrosse season came to an end on Saturday afternoon in crushing fashion against the Virginia Cavaliers in the National Semifinals.

The Duke Blue Devils have not made it easy this postseason and that continued on Saturday afternoon in the Men’s Lacrosse Final Four.

A two-goal loss to Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament, followed by two one-goal victories in the NCAA Tournament over Richmond and those same Fighting Irish in overtime.

More from Ball Durham

A theme in those two victories in the NCAA, Duke held a sizable lead and could not create anymore separation and put its opponent away.

The same thing happened on Saturday in Philadelphia and it cost Duke its season and a chance at a fourth National Championship.

Duke led by as many as four goals in the third quarter and mid-way through the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils led by three.

With 9:49 left in regulation, Brad Smith netted a goal to give Duke an 11-8 lead. Duke would then surrender the next two goals to Virginia.

Kevin Quigley appeared to give Duke the breathing room it needed going up by two goals with 1:56 left in the game, but Virginia would score two goals within 30 seconds of each other to tie things at 12 with 15 seconds left to play.

The Cavaliers almost end the game in regulation off the ensuing face-off up a shot went low and wide right near the crease.

Both Duke and Virginia had chances to put the game away in the first overtime, but missed opportunities but after a face-off win to start the second overtime, the Cavs took advantage 51 seconds into the period with an Ian Laviano goal to win 13-12 and advance to the National Championship game on Monday afternoon.

Smith led Duke with a hat trick while Quigley, CJ Carpenter, Brian Smyth, and Joe Robertson scored two goals. Joey Manown was able to net one in the defeat.

Goalie Turner Uppgren finished the afternoon with 10 saves.

Home/Duke Blue Devils News