NCAA Lax Semi-Finals

One word describes Saturday's NCAA men's lacrosse semi-finals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Hot.

With high temperatures peaking around 90 degrees, the pitch of M&T boiled around 95-100. Yes, I got burnt. And lobster red.

As temperatures cooked a record breaking 52,004 final four crowd, Duke and Johns Hopkins advanced to the national championship, setting up a rematch of the 2005 NCAA final. In 2005, the Blue Jays were the victor. However, coming off a canceled 2006 season and late thrilling victory over Cornell, Duke gets a chance at redemption on Monday, May 28 at 1:00 p.m.

Although rooting for the underdogs, Delaware failed to show up to play. They fell to Hopkins, 8-3.

Nonetheless, I haven't seen a more exciting game of college lacrosse all season until the Duke vs. Cornell game.

Duke had people leaving at the half, as they lead the game, 7-3. As the third quarter started, it seemed as if the crowd's motive to leave early was the right thing to do. I'll admit it, I thought of leaving early to transmit, too. But the thought of not shooting another lacrosse game until 2008 (after Monday) had me sticking around. I am glad I did.

Cornell would go on an exciting, 5-1, run in the last nine minutes of the game. Other photographers were running to the Big Red's offensive half, and the crowd was on their feet roaring. With 17 seconds remaining, Cornell tied the game. The stadium erupted. I was convinced it would be an OT victory for one of the teams. However, a heroic goal by Zack Greer, his fourth of the day, with just three seconds left insured the 12-11 win.

I could go into much greater detail, but I am just too tired and dehydrated to even think clearly. I'll be updating this post with some more pictures later.

In closing, my heart goes out to Duke. I hope they win the national championship to prove themselves, and rise up over all the allegations against them last season.