Three nail-biters defined the third round of the NCAA Division III men's lacrosse tournament.
The first came when Dickinson beat Washington & Lee 10-9, relying on overtime and a fourth-quarter comeback to book a spot in the elite eight against Salisbury. In both instances, Nick Goles was pivotal.
The sophomore attackman clawed one back after Dickinson trailed 8-7, paving the way for game-tying goal from Brodie Phillips. Then, with 3:35 in the overtime period, Goles scored coming out of a timeout to clinch it.
Goles has been on a tear as of late for Dickinson, with 11 goals and two assists in his last two games. He’s also registered a point in all but one game throughout the 2018 season, last held scoreless on April 11 against Gettysburg.
Salisbury, back-to-back NCAA champion, also produced a tight affair, topping Christopher Newport 12-11.
The Sea Gulls trailed 10-3 midway through the first quarter, then scored nine of the game’s final 10 goals. The eventual game-winner came from Garrett Reynolds with 2:31 to play. He was one of four Salisbury players to notch at least two goals, with Griffin Moroney bagging a hat trick.
Earlier this year, Salisbury and CNU also produced a one-goal affair, with the former coming out on top 6-5.
The last nail-biter came from NCAC rivals Denison and Ohio Wesleyan. The Battling Bishops won 11-10 after losing to the Big Red in their conference final 14-7 two weeks ago. Cole Jamieson scored the game-winner with 7:25 to play, his second strike of the game.
With the NCAA quarterfinals field set, early must-watch games are NESCAC foes Wesleyan and Tufts duking it out. York and RIT’s battle should also prove promising, as both squads have been constants in the top five all spring long.