Before last year, the Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship hadn't experienced an overtime final since 1974. But now extra periods seem to be a trend, since for the second straight year, the champion wasn't decided until after regulation play.

This year's thriller also produced another similarity to last year's in that Limestone was on the losing end, this time by a 14-13 count to New York Institute of Technology. The game was played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia May 29. It is the second title for New York Institute of Technology in three years.

Limestone came out strong, scoring the first two goals of the game. Throughout the contest, the score remained close, and neither team scored more than two consecutive goals. The Saints led at halftime, 7-6.

But Bears senior midfielders Joe Gabrysiak and Tom Zummo were difference-makers after the break. Zummo led the team with five goals, and Gabrysiak scored four, including the game-winner in overtime.

After the game, Gabrysiak downplayed his performance.

"It was my last game as a senior," he said. "I didn't want to go out as a loser, and this was a great way to go out."

Both teams combined for more than 40 turnovers, and the Bears were plagued with penalties, giving the Saints five power-play opportunities. Limestone afforded New York Institute of Technology only two power-play chances.

Limestone, which had six different players score in the game, provided a spread-out offense that challenged the Bears. Senior midfielder Patrick Cardiff scored the last two goals of regulation to send the game into overtime for the third time in Division II championship history. Despite Cardiff's efforts, the Saints fell in overtime off an aggressive play from Gabrysiak.

Head coach Jack Kaley praised the play of his senior midfielder.

"(Gabrysiak) had a great game in the biggest game," he said. "That's what the best do, and he's one of the best."

New York Institute of Technology held Limestone's strong offense, which had averaged more than 20 goals per game coming into the final, to 13 in the championship game.

Limestone has appeared in six consecutive championship games, a Division II record. The team beat top-ranked LeMoyne in the semifinals, a match-up between the nation's best offense (Limestone) and defense (LeMoyne). The victory avenged the 2004 double-overtime loss to LeMoyne in the championship game and ended the Dolphins' 30-game winning streak.

Saints coach Chris Hasbrouck said that despite a second consecutive championship loss, his team played well.

"I'm proud of my kids," he said. "They played their hearts out, and we just came up a little short today. We both had great athletes, and in the overtime emotions take over. Tech was able to force a couple of turnovers, and they played a great game."

The game was played before a Division II-record crowd of 21,052.

Semifinals

Limestone scoring: Roger Vyse 4, Nolan Heavenor 2, Patrick Cardiff 1, Bobby Woody 1, Jesse Buppert 1.

Le Moyne scoring: Mike McDonald 2, Brandon Spillett 2, Matt Holdridge 1, Kyle Reichel 1, Ryan Lewis 1, Craig Rosecrans 1.

Shots: Limestone 25, Le Moyne 42. Goalkeeper saves: Limestone (Marty Ward) 14, Le Moyne (Jared Corcoran) 4.

NYIT scoring: Joe Droge 5, Tom Zummo 4, Joe Gabrysiak 3, Keith Henderson 3, Paul Montali 3, Joseph Vasold 2, Chris Sepesi 1.

C.W. Post scoring: Tim Paulson 2, Jeremy Jablonski 2, Mike Dimler 2, Jimmy Davis 1, Ralph Carino 1, Reggie Thearle 1.

Shots: NYIT 44, C.W. Post 55. Goalkeeper saves: NYIT (Anthony Letterel) 21, C.W. Post (Chris Hagmeier) 14.

Championship game

NYIT scoring: Tom Zummo 5, Joe Gabrysiak 4, Keith Henderson 2, Joe Droge 1, Paul Montali 1, Mike Maxwell 1.

Limestone scoring: David Wooster 4, Bobby Woody 3, Patrick Cardiff 2, Roger Vyse 2, Nolan Heavenor 1, Brad Partridge 1.

Shots: NYIT 27, Limestone 39. Goalkeeper saves: NYIT (Anthony Letterel) 12, Limestone (Marty Ward) 5.