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An epic confrontation between two of the most storied lacrosse programs in NCAA history culminated in a thrilling finish as Gettysburg College knocked off top-ranked Salisbury University 11-10 in double overtime at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium during the 2018 season.
Dating back to the programs’ first meeting in 1992, Gettysburg and Salisbury have produced incredible showdowns, many resulting in overtime outcomes and others occurring in the national playoffs. Eleven out the 38 meetings have been decided by a single goal, eight have gone to overtime, and 10 have taken place at NCAAs.
The scene in 2018 was no different with Salisbury sitting atop the national polls after claiming back-to-back national titles. The Bullets were out to prove themselves against the defending champs and they would do just that on the way a 19-3 season and an appearance in the national semifinals in May.
Watch highlights from the game by clicking the play button above and view the original release from that dramatic victory below.
Original Release Feb. 24, 2018
Bullets Shock No. 1 Salisbury in Double Overtime
Gettysburg Earns First Win Over Top-Ranked Team Since 2010
GETTYSBURG, Pa. Junior Jack Harvey (New Providence, N.J./New Providence) scooped up a loose ball and fired in the game-winning goal with 1:09 left in the second overtime, sending the 13th-ranked Gettysburg College men’s lacrosse team to an 11-10 upset over No. 1-ranked and two-time defending Division III national champion Salisbury on Saturday afternoon at a wet Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.
The win was Gettysburg’s first over a No. 1-ranked team since its 7-5 victory over Cortland on March 6, 2010. It was also the Bullets’ first home victory over Salisbury since a 7-5 win in the 2002 NCAA Division III quarterfinals.
Junior Tommy Heller (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) initiated the game-winner with a pass from X that was deflected to Harvey on the right wing. Harvey pounced on the ball before taking a quick step and rifling in a low shot from 12 yards out, setting off a wild Gettysburg celebration on the field.
Heller finished with seven points and three goals and a career-high-tying four assists. Sophomore Brian Kolen (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) added two goals and two assists while Harvey netted two goals and one helper to go with a big caused turnover that helped set up his go-ahead tally. Freshman Jack Fletcher (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School) also scored twice.
Senior Tim Brady (Charlotte, N.C./Providence) made 10 saves in goal for the Bullets (3-0), including a clutch stop from point-blank range in the closing seconds of regulation. He also came up with a big caused turnover in the final minute of the first overtime.
Senior Geoff Fulgione (North Andover, Mass./Brooks School) won 13-of-23 face-offs for Gettysburg while sophomore defenseman Mitch Wykoff (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlowe) posted five ground balls.
Zach Pompea posted two goals and two assists to lead Salisbury (3-1) while Anthony Stavrakis stopped 11 shots.
Neither side led by more than a goal until the Sea Gulls put together a 3-0 run late in the third quarter to go up 8-5. However, Fletcher reversed the momentum with a goal in the closing seconds of the quarter to make it a two-goal game heading into the final stanza.
Fletcher’s goal was the start of a 5-0 Gettysburg run that handed the Bullets a 10-8 lead with 9:03 remaining. Kolen scored before Heller tied it up with a man-up tally with 11:40 on the clock. Fulgione then scored off the ensuing face-off to hand his team a 9-8 lead with 11:32 showing. Kolen scored again to give the Bullets their two-goal lead.
Salisbury would rally, however, scoring twice to pull even with 3:59 remaining. The Sea Gulls gained possession with 1:34 left before Brady denied Griffin Maroney with a spectacular stop, picking a potential game-winning shot out of midair from the left doorstep.
Gettysburg came up with a pair of big stops in the first overtime, first forcing a turnover that junior defensive midfielder Ryan Kelly (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) scooped up. Brady then intercepted a pass from X before leading a successful Gettysburg clear. Salisbury was whistled for a penalty with nine seconds left, and Gettysburg ran out the rest of the clock.
The Bullets held the ball for nearly the entire second overtime. Stavrakis made a tremendous save less than a minute into the period, but Heller chased down the ground ball. Stavrakis turned aside another shot with 2:18 showing, before Harvey stole the clearing pass to hand possession back to Gettysburg, setting up his game-winner.
A nip-and-tuck first half featured five ties, although Gettysburg didn’t lead until Fletcher scored with 9:51 left in the second quarter to make it 4-3. But the Sea Gulls scored with 2:33 left to deadlock the score at 4-4 heading into the intermission.
Salisbury went up 5-4 with 10:23 left in the third quarter. Harvey struck for a man-up goal with 7:55 showing before the Sea Gulls’ 3-0 run.
Salisbury outshot the Bullets 33-28, but the Bullets owned a 32-25 ground-ball advantage.
Gettysburg returns to action next Saturday, when it visits No. 15 Stevenson at 7 p.m. in another non-conference clash.
This story was originally posted on the Gettysburg College Website.