NEWBERRY, S.C. - Newberry delivered a comeback for the ages in the SAC Semifinals, storming back from a three-goal deficit in the final minutes to stun Lenoir-Rhyne, 16-15, and punch its ticket to the conference championship. With the season hanging in the balance, the Wolves caught fire late, scoring four unanswered goals in a relentless surge that flipped the game on its head and sent the sideline into a frenzy as the final horn sounded.Lenoir-Rhyne struck first less than a minute into the contest, but the response was immediate. Mason Carfello answered just 40 seconds later, burying the equalizer, and Ace Nichols followed soon after by slipping one past the keeper to give the Wolves an early 2-1 edge.

The Bears countered with two quick tallies to regain control, but Scott Williams ignited the Wolves late in the opening quarter, firing home back-to-back finishes to even the score at 4-4 heading into the second.

Lenoir-Rhyne opened the second-quarter scoring, but Newberry answered once again. Bradley David cashed in to level things before Matthew Burt tucked one away to push the Wolves in front, 6-5.

Trailing 8-6, Derek Caiazzo sparked another surge with his first goal of the night, and Carfello followed by completing a strong move to tie the game at 8. However, the Bears closed the half on a run, sending Newberry into the break trailing 10-8.

The Wolves came out of halftime with urgency. Carfello completed his hat trick with a decisive finish to pull within one, and Liam Vollans added his first of the day, knotting the game at 10. Later in the quarter, Nathan Pouliot won a one-on-one matchup and powered a shot home to keep Newberry within striking distance at 12-11.

Lenoir-Rhyne seized momentum late in the third, adding two unanswered goals to carry a 14-11 lead into the final quarter.

With time winding down and the season hanging in the balance, Newberry delivered its most electrifying stretch of the night. Trailing 15-12 with just over five minutes to play, Ian Jackson jumpstarted the comeback, rifling one into the cage off a sharp feed from Nichols. Minutes later, Williams broke free and buried another to cut the deficit to one.

Then came the equalizer. With 2:22 remaining, Jackson struck again—this time finishing in stride—to even the score at 15 and send the Wolves' sideline into a frenzy.

Moments later, the comeback was complete. With 1:53 left, Burt capped his hat trick with a clutch go-ahead goal, placing his shot perfectly to give Newberry its first lead since the second quarter.

From there, the Wolves' defense took over, locking down the Bears in the final moments and refusing to yield another opportunity. As the final horn sounded, Newberry stormed the field, sealing a thrilling 16-15 comeback victory and punching its ticket to the championship.

Newberry will now take on Wingate in the SAC Championship on Sunday, May 3 in Matthews, N.C.