Cortland State stunned three-time defending champion Salisbury in overtime May 28 to win the Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship, handing the Sea Gulls their first loss since April 10, 2003. The 13-12 defeat ended Salisbury’s 69-game winning streak and brought the title back to Cortland State for the first time in 31 years.

The Red Dragons’ Mike Felice scored a goal with 2.2 seconds remaining in overtime to lift his team over the defending champions and heavy favorites.

The teams were evenly matched from the outset, with each answering the other’s score. The teams combined for 11 ties and four lead changes in the see-saw game, and the largest margin was two goals, which Salisbury held in the second quarter. The Sea Gulls were up, 7-6, at the half.

The Red Dragons came out strong in the third quarter, though, opening with a quick goal, dominating the face-offs and controlling the time of possession. Ryan Heath scored three times in the third quarter for Cortland State, including a tying goal with 37 seconds left. Salisbury midfielder Luis Gonzalez led his team with three goals in the third quarter after scoring just four the entire season.

The fourth quarter was a stark contrast to the offensive barrage in the third — both teams turned to their defense to carry the day. Salisbury led the game with less than a minute to play, but Cortland State’s Ryan Simensky scored off a loose ball, tying the game at 12.

Red Dragons sophomore Josh Cittadino won his 13th face-off to start the overtime, but a subsequent shot sailed wide. Salisbury also had chances, but Cortland State goalie Ben Gaebel made two of his 18 saves in the extra period. The Red Dragons capitalized on their final possession, with Felice scoring the game winner after beating his defender and getting in close range.

Felice finished with three goals and the most-outstanding-player award. Heath led Cortland State with four goals. Salisbury finished the season 20-1, while Cortland State completed an 18-3 campaign.

Quarterfinals

Cortland St. 12, Middlebury 8; Wesleyan (Conn.) 16, Geneseo St. 10; Salisbury 8, Washington (Md.) 4; Roanoke 13, Gettysburg 12.

Semifinals

Salisbury        2          3          7          0          1 — 13

Roanoke        0          4          4          4          0 — 12

Salisbury scoring: Mike Hurley 4, Dan Boyer 3, Kylor Berkman 1, Jimmy Creighton 1, Mike Edwards 1, Brett Yoder 1, Ryan Rohde 1, Greg Baggan 1.

Roanoke scoring: Zack Thomas 3, Chaz Carlson 2, Scott Pattison 2, Chris Keating 2, Brendan Moore 1, Jon Mason 1, Adam Ariosa 1.

Shots: Salisbury 37, Roanoke 44. Goalkeeper saves: Salisbury (Max Zarchin) 12, Roanoke (Matt Madalon) 15.

Wesleyan (Conn.)     3          1          1          1          0 — 6

Cortland St.    2          1          2          1          1 — 7

Cortland St. scoring: Mike Abbott 3, Ryan Simensky 2, Kyle Lambert 1, Brian Atkins 1.

Wesleyan (Conn.) scoring: Crhis Jasinski 1, Grayson Connors 1, Mike Vitulano 1, Alex Kaufman 1, Jordan Funt 1, Mike Walsh 1.

Shots: Cortland St. 33, Wesleyan (Conn.) 25. Goalkeeper saves: Cortland St. (Ben Gaebel) 10; Wesleyan (Conn.) (Charlie Congleton) 13.

Championship game

Cortland St.    3          3          5          1          1 — 13

 Salisbury        3          4          4          1          0 — 12

Cortland St. scoring: Ryan Heath 4, Mike Felice 3, Ryan Simensky 3, Kyle Lambert 1, Mike Abbott 1, Brian Atkins 1.

Salisbury scoring: Luis Gonzalez 3, Jimmy Creighton 2, Ryan Rohde 2, Matt Dasinger 2, Eric Bishop 1, Dan Boyer 1, Mike Edwards 1.

Shots: Cortland St. 36, Salisbury 39. Goalkeeper saves: Cortland St. (Ben Gaebel) 18; Salisbury (Max Zarchin) 6.