NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Despite a furious second-half rally that saw the Captains force overtime after erasing a four-goal deficit, the third-ranked Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team could not quite complete the comeback as No. 6 York (Pa.) ended the marathon battle in the 63rd minute to steal a 10-9 victory in the NCAA Quarterfinals on a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

Trailing 6-2 early in the third quarter, the hosts strung together four consecutive goals to even the game entering the fourth stanza. Later, Alex Brendes snapped off a go-ahead goal that give the squad its first lead with six minutes remaining in regulation, but the Spartans fired back and landed the final two tallies, including the game-winner with a minute left in overtime.

Brady Altobello led Christopher Newport with four points, including a pair of goals. Dylan Rice also struck twice and came through with a huge takeaway in the overtime session, which gave the Captains renewed life and a second-chance opportunity less than two minutes into the period.

Meanwhile, Ryan Young and Brandon Young both notched three caused turnovers apiece, while Max Wayne, Burke Widhelm, and Phoenix Hines added two each. Zac Hanway also snatched 11 saves to headline the squad's defensive work.

With the setback, Christopher Newport punctuated its season with an 18-2 record. On the other side, York (Pa.) advanced to the NCAA Semifinals with a 20-2 ledger. The Spartans will square off against No. 8 Union on Sunday at 3 p.m. for a chance to contend for the national championship next weekend.

After York grabbed a 6-2 lead just 14 seconds into the third quarter, Christopher Newport dug in and mounted an epic comeback. First, on the defensive side, the Captains threw a blanket over the field. Widhelm bottled up a cutter and forced a turnover on YCP's next rally before Ryan Young batted down a pass to end another threat.

Following the defensive stand, the offense found its rhythm. Capitalizing on a screen by Rice, Altobello circled over the top and burned a blast through the goalie's wickets for the team's third tally. Later, the Captains did a little yardwork and cleaned up some trash on back-to-back strikes.

Kicking things off, Andrew Cook snagged a deflection off a pipe shot before dishing to Rice, who dunked along the right post. Moments later, after a kick save by York's keeper, Brett Jackson secured the rebound and buried a screamer just inside the post, which pulled the hosts back within one at 6-5.

Looking to even the score, Hanway came through with a save from his knees before finding Hines on the clear. Barreling down the field, the first-team All-American eventually handed the ball to Miles Collins, who took a vicious shot from a defender but still landed the equalizer following the quick transition.

Although York responded just over a minute later, Christopher Newport fired right back. In the final moments of the third period, Cook found himself isolated one-on-one. Following a lengthy battle with a Spartan, he eventually used brute force to bully his defender before ripping a rocket from the right side, which knotted the game at seven entering the fourth quarter.

Trading blows, the visitors came back with the go-ahead tally before the Captains answered again. During a failed clear attempt by the Spartans, Brandon Young swarmed a midfielder and forced a turnover. After collecting the loose ball, Brendes pushed the pace and drew a pair of defenders away from the crease. Sneaking in the back side, Rice eventually caught a pass and knotted the score again with a dive on the doorstep.

Looking to take their first lead of the game, the Captains earned a man-up situation with six minutes remaining in regulation. Taking advantage, Altobello used a sidearm skip pass to find Brendes. With some room to work, the third-year star stepped down and sniped a one-timer into the top right corner of the cage, which gave the hosts a 9-8 lead.

Less than a minute later, York fired back and tied the game at nine entering the waning moments of regulation.

Looking to break through again, Brendes laced a liner that just caught the pipe, while Cook saw a blast scoot wide. Meanwhile, on the other end, Ryan Young deflected a pass on the interior with a minute left to stymie an initial threat by the visitors before Aidan Wheeler applied pressure after a restart in the final seconds to prevent a last-ditch attempt by the Spartans, which forced overtime.

In the extra session, Warner Cabaniss won the opening faceoff, but York's goalie swallowed a rip by Brendes. Later, on the clear, Rice forced a turnover with a trail-check along the left sideline before snatching the roller to give the hosts a second-chance opportunity. Unfortunately, following a timeout, the visitors withstood the second wave before racing down the field with a minute left in overtime.

With their first look in the extra period, York capitalized as Jacob Wilhelm landed the game's final blow off a feed from Will Harnick to end the marathon battle.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 38-28 advantage in shots, while York won 13 of the game's 22 faceoffs. The visitors also held an edge in ground balls, 38-26.

Similar to the second half, the first quarter was also a seesaw affair. After York opened the scoring, Christopher Newport swung back. With the shot clock running low, Drew Miller slipped a pass to Altobello, who danced through a double-team before striking from the left side.

After the Spartans retaliated with two consecutive goals, the Captains shot back again. Although a defender was able to poke the ball away from the hosts for a brief moment, Altobello saved the possession and secured the roller before flipping it to Coby Auslander, who burned one from the right side.

Trailing 3-2 entering the second quarter, Christopher Newport settled in for a defensive struggle early in the period. On two straight York rallies, Hines came through with back-to-back strips. Later, Hanway took a blast off the chest to clamp down on another threat by the visitors, while Widhelm tied up an attacker who attempted to roll through the zone, which forced a shot-clock violation.

Unfortunately, the Spartans were able to slip free and strike twice in the last few minutes of the second stanza to grab a 5-2 lead entering the break. Although Christopher Newport was able to overcome the deficit in the second half with remarkable work on both ends of the field, York was able to survive in the end while punching its ticket to the NCAA Final Four.

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