PHILADELPHIA, PA. – On one side of the field stood the reigning defending champions, looking to be the next team to complete the back to back championship reign. On the other side of the field, stood a team making their first championship appearance in 13 years.
The first quarter was as closely matched as you could get, both teams were in a deadlock with no one giving an inch. In this quarter only four goals were scored combined between the teams.
Coming into the 2nd quarter, the defending champion Lenoir-Rhyne found their grove and went on a 3-0 run to open the quarter giving them a 5-2 lead before Adelphi finally responded to stop the bleeding.
🧃 GOAL!
— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) May 26, 2024
Gavin Herzog stopped the Bears run and brings @AUPanthers within two goals at 5-3 early in the second! #D2MLAX pic.twitter.com/OR49i4q6NI
Going into halftime Lenoir-Rhyne had a two goal lead and all things looked to be in their favor as they appeared to be on their way to another title victory.
Midway through the third quarter, the Bears knocked two more goals on the board giving them a 8-4 lead.
This is where the comeback for Adelphi would start.
In a two minute period, Brian Harinski put two goals on the board to slash the Lenoir-Rhyne lead in half. Rhyne would get one back on the board to put them in front by three. In the dying minutes of the quarter, Kyle Steinbach would put two goals on the board to put the Panthers within one goal heading into the fourth quarter.
HEATING UP 🔥
— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) May 26, 2024
Brian Harinski notches his second straight goal to pull @AUPanthers within two at 8-6! #D2MLAX pic.twitter.com/MylS1F8lmk
Coming into the fourth quarter, Harinski and Steinbach unleashed a slew of goals to take a 11-9 lead, what looked impossible a half ago had turned into a reality. Lenoir-Rhyne would do what they can as they scored one more goal to put themselves back in by one, but it was no use. Kyle Lewis sunk a dagger with four minutes left to put the Panthers back up by two.
COMEBACK COMPLETE‼️ 👏@AdelphiMLax rallies past Lenoir-Rhyne in the second half to win the 2024 #D2MLAX National Championship! #MakeItYours pic.twitter.com/JhmclzOmHX
— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) May 26, 2024
The comeback had been completed, the long road back to the top had finally been reached. Adelphi finally won their first national championship in over 20 years.
