Penn State and its fans didn’t want it to end this way.
The team wasn’t supposed to beat top-seeded Duke in the Final Four, and ended up falling short.
But its the way Penn State fell short that, unfortunately, is how this semifinal will most likely be remembered.
Duke won, 16-15, on an overtime goal by Garrett Leadmon.
Many feel the goal shouldn’t have counted due to a crease violation, and it appears that, in fact, a violation was committed. Video evidence shows that Leadmon’s right foot was in the goal crease as he took the winning shot, which is illegal.
But the officials didn’t call it that way initially, and NCAA LAX rules don’t allow for a review to commence on such a play. Thus, the goal stood, and Penn State’s season is over.
Duke will take on the winner of the second semifinal between Virginia and Notre Dame. Penn State’s season is over.
Here’s how to people of Twitter reacted to the ruling.
No goal https://t.co/4Awi4gVZvE
— Chris Hogan (@ChrisHogan_15) May 27, 2023
🚨 GARRETT LEADMON AT THE CREASE. 🚨@DukeMLAX WINS IT OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/SceApiRXk6
— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) May 27, 2023
THE REPLAYS. 👇
Was Leadmon the crease? pic.twitter.com/UE8H2PCMf6
— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) May 27, 2023
They don't have replay in college lacrosse? Don't know much about the sport but to lose in overtime in the Final 4 on a goal that shouldn't have counted, ROUGH ending for Penn State. https://t.co/OM476LbXzd
— SkinsHoops86 (@SkinsHoops86) May 27, 2023
Does a bear shit in the woods??? https://t.co/5kCfFolgOp
— Nationals Lacrosse Club (@PLLNationals) May 27, 2023
There needs to be instant Replay on plays like this
Terrible way for the game to end#NCAAMLAX https://t.co/dUGJ047LFa
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) May 27, 2023
The "Brett Hull" https://t.co/pd7aUvPPBf
— TheNdCAA (@TheNdCAA) May 27, 2023
1000000% Absolutely brutal – Bitter taste after watching an All
-time great sporting event … https://t.co/iunjJjhdNj— Coach Blatter (@coachblades) May 27, 2023
A lot of guys career just ended over a bad missed call and an even worse rule https://t.co/ibdjpm0iyG
— Boles (@icecreamboles) May 27, 2023
Criminal that Penn State can’t review this call. NCAA rules committee is a joke. This game should still be going on pic.twitter.com/cLF4Xe482U
— Jordie (@jordiebarstool) May 27, 2023
Refs should have to walk into Penn State's locker room right now and apologize to every single player. My god
— Jordie (@jordiebarstool) May 27, 2023
Nobody in the NCAA or lax leadership before today thought that JUST MAYBE a final shot in a sudden death overtime setup should be reviewable?
It took this, with a trip to the national title on the line, to point out this glaring rule problem?
Terrible refs. Unbelievable.
— NCNittany (@NittanyNC) May 27, 2023
Boo hoo. Life goes on. It's just a game.
— AnimalsAreGreaterThanHumans (@rbpittsteel) May 27, 2023
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.🤡
— Trent (@sadRavensfan94) May 27, 2023
Literally not even a full second to confirm if it was a goal as two refs were on GLE, one being literally a foot away from the crease, just so goddamn bad
— Landon (@landonisdon) May 27, 2023
Refs immediately after calling it a goal pic.twitter.com/DXZjCxDFLl
— General Sosa (@TacoGrimReaper) May 27, 2023
Refs need to be held accountable. If the @NCAA actually cares about their fans they’d let them vote on the punishment and broadcast it live
— KamarJohnson (@KamarYohnson) May 27, 2023
@NCAA SUCKS
— brian zinman (@brianzinman) May 27, 2023
I would comment, but I don’t know anything about this sport.
— Steve Chapman (@CycloneSteve2U) May 27, 2023
Duke player’s foot on the overtime game-winning goal.
Officials left the field and the goal isn’t reviewable. Duke will play in the national championship.
I have a feeling a rule change will be in place next season pic.twitter.com/AN8SoYQEuA
— Zach (@zachallen0) May 27, 2023
Credit to ESPN for calling what it is. Everyone on their crew was like “that’s the wrong call. This rule is dumb”
— Darian Somers (@StuffSomersSays) May 27, 2023
Penn State loses in overtime on a goal that shouldn’t have counted. Duke off to the national title game. Latest argument for review.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) May 27, 2023
— PSU Everything (@PSU_Strong) May 27, 2023
Hope they enjoy their Mickey Mouse championship on Monday. Fraudulent sport. https://t.co/EQX7JsL3ki
— Kevin Horne (@KevinHornePSU) May 27, 2023
I wasn't gonna be mad over the result, but that's a clear as day no goal, not only do you miss the call but how is that not reviewable??? Ridiculous especially in a national semifinal
— nick (@DrewAllarSZN) May 27, 2023
I HATE SPORTS WE GOT CHEATED SUSPEND THESE REFS IMMEDIATELY JUST SHAMEFUL
— nick (@DrewAllarSZN) May 27, 2023
Disgustingly frustrated
— DJ 2023 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 (@psufan24) May 27, 2023
Bad joke
— Joan Maurer (@JEd1_20) May 27, 2023
Got Hosed!!!
— tim barnes (@timbarn05234195) May 27, 2023
Yea and no review really ruined it
— DJ 2023 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 (@psufan24) May 27, 2023
In what sport is a scoring play not reviewable 😂😂😂 what a joke
— PSU Everything (@PSU_Strong) May 27, 2023
Penn State lacrosse got royally screwed on this game-winning goal in OT in the national semifinals.
Duke guy clearly in crease.
We’ve come so far with replay, and it’s used all the time. How can this sport not allow replay here?
Brutal way for any team’s season to end. https://t.co/6150qIaIwV— Cory Giger (@CoryGiger) May 27, 2023
