Courtesy Wesleyan Sports Information

CORTLAND, N.Y. – Ryan Simensky fired a low shot from 15 yards out that beat Wesleyan goalie Charlie Congleton just inside the right post for the game-winner in overtime as Cortland St. (17-3) captured a 7-6 decision in an NCAA Division III semifinal in Cortland, N.Y.
Cortland will face defending national champion Salisbury, also an overtime winner Sunday over Roanoke, in the title game in Philadelphia, Sunday May 28.

Cortland had first possession in overtime due to a Wesleyan penalty just before the end of the fourth period and though the penalty expired, Simensky took a pass up the right flank from Mike Felice and stepped up to fire the low shot that skipped into the goal just :42 in the extra frame.

Wesleyan had come back from an early 2-0 deficit to grab a 3-2 lead late in the first period and never trailed again until the final whistle. Grayson Connors netted his team-high 42nd goal of the year to put the Cardinals on the board at 4:50 of the first. One minute later, Alex Kaufman tied the score and just 37 seconds after that, Jordan Funt got a pass from Russ Follansbee and put Wesleyan ahead 3-2.

Cortland tied the score in the second period before Chris Jasinski cut to the goal and got a pass from Jason Ben-Eliyahu for a 4-3 Wesleyan lead at halftime. It was 5-3 Wesleyan after Mike Vitulano picked up his 29th goal of the season at 8:13 of the third period. Cortland got two back before the end of the third, tying the game at 1:28 of the stanza with a man-advantage goal.

Wesleyan responded with its own man-advantage tally as Mike Walsh '06 became the six Cardinal to score a goal on the day, that coming at 12:26 off a nifty feed from Jasinski. Kyle Lambert got the tying goal for Cortland at 6:09 and the team's went into overtime.

Congleton ended the game with 13 saves, giving him a final save percentage of .678 for the year and a 6.73 goals-against average. Glenn Adams, who was held without a point in the semi-final, had 25 goals and 44 assists to lead the team with 69 points and 207 for his career, fourth all-time at Wesleyan. Funt, with his goal, ended his career with 125 career points, ranking him 12th all-time.

Adams had exploded for six goals and four assists in leading Wesleyan past Geneseo St., 16-10, in an NCAA tournament quarterfinal game on Wednesday, May 17.