The third-seeded Belmont Abbey men's lacrosse team scored two goals in the final eight seconds, with junior Matt Spivey scoring the game winner with one second left, to propel the Crusaders past the second-seeded Queens University Royals and into Sunday's Conference Tournament Final with an 11-10 win this afternoon at the Queens Sports Complex. The Abbey moves to 6-5, while the Royals end their season with a mark of 9-4.

Tied at eight going to the fourth quarter, the Royals scored the first two goals of the stanza to move ahead 10-8 with 5:34 left in the game, but they would not score again, nor would they attempt another shot. Brian Watson won the ensuing faceoff and 48 seconds later, Conference Freshman of the Year Dan Morrissey fired home an unassisted tally to cut the margin to one.

With 1:10 remaining, Queens turned the ball over to the Crusaders, which immediately called a timeout. Watson fired a shot with 49 seconds left that sailed high, but the Abbey retained possession. After setting up the offense, Morrissey fed Dave DiLuigi for his fourth and final assist, as DiLuigi buried the equalizer with eight seconds left.

After another Abbey timeout, Nick Boylan won the faceoff. Ryan Corrigan eventually gained possession and fed Spivey, who buried the shot with one second left as he was falling down for the game winner.

Belmont Abbey outshot Queens 34-26 and won 15 of 22 faceoffs. Morrissey, Corrigan, DiLuigi and Tanner Scharr all scored two goals, while Spivey and Tyler Rossman had one. Morrissey had four assists, while Boylan, Corrigan, Watson, Josiah Nash and Miles Elliott had one each.

Watson won seven of eight faceoffs, and Boylan was seven of 12. Tony Kikola made 13 saves. Tristan Keas tied for the game-high with seven ground balls. Spivey and Connor Doyle had three each.

The Abbey advances to the championship game Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. where it will engage the top-seeded Limestone Saints.