Connor Shellenberger sends UVA lacrosse to Final Four in 2OT thriller vs Johns Hopkins

Connor Shellenberger sends UVA lacrosse to Final Four in 2OT thriller vs Johns Hopkins

Things looked dire for the Virginia Cavaliers when Johns Hopkins went up 4-0 within the first seven minutes of game play. The UVA coaching staff benched goalie Matthew Nunes, and, while that helped stem the tide, the Blue Jays strung together a three goal run late in the third quarter to take a commanding 10-7 lead.

But Virginia held its longtime rival scoreless for the final 22:57 of the game. However agonizing it was, the ‘Hoos pulled even off a controversial McCabe Millon tip-toe goal with 2:59 left in the game.

The two squads then proceeded to go back and forth for what seemed like an eternity. UVA had two more possessions in regulation — including a man-up opportunity — but couldn’t capitalize. In the first overtime, goalie Kyle Morris came up huge with a pair of saves to stump Johns Hopkins and give the Cavaliers another shot in double overtime.

SSDM Chase Yager forced a late-shot clock turnover on Hopkins’ first (and only) possession of the second overtime period. Then, after a timeout, Connor Shellenberger scored a legacy goal to send his squad to the third Final Four of his career.

Alongside Shellenberger’s three goal, one assist performance, freshman McCabe Millon notched three goals and three helpers, and Jack Boyden scored three times. LSM Ben Wayer was arguably the star of the game with 10 (!!!) ground balls, two caused turnovers, and a clutch assist to Payton Cormier for a goal with 6:11 left in the fourth quarter.

Replacement goalie Morris saved eight shots relative to six goals allowed (57.1%) and faceoff specialists Anthony Ghobriel (12-for-20) and Thomas Colucci (4-for-6) combined to win 61.5% of the draws.

The ‘Hoos will play the Maryland Terrapins next Saturday in lacrosse’s Championship Weekend. This is the fourth time in five NCAA Tournaments that the Cavaliers and the Terps have gone head-to-head. Faceoff is set for 2:30 PM ET with the winner advancing to face the victor of Notre Dame vs Denver on Memorial Day Monday.