CREVE COEUR, Mo. - Regardless of the result, No. 6 seed William Woods University (5-8) had a memorable first postseason game in program history, using a second half comeback to push it to overtime before ultimately dropping a 13-12 decision to No. 3 seed Missouri Baptist University (7-7) in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships quarterfinals Saturday at Spartan Field.

"Not the result we wanted, but I'm extremely proud of this team," William Woods lacrosse coach Seth Matlock said. "We have come so far in such a short time, and hate that the season is over, but are grateful for the journey. We will miss the senior class and thank them for everything they have done for the program. It's always been a personal goal of mine to 'leave them better than we found them,' and I am confident we have accomplished that this season. Go Owls!"

The Owls' attack helped them stay with the Spartans as three WWU players finished with at least five points. Woods's Vinny DeMarco, in the final game of his illustrious career, notched a team-high six points (five goals and one assist) and a game-high 17 shots; Ethan NewMyer had a nearly flawless offensive outing with a game-high eight shots on goal in nine shots, five being goals; Jack Brackin posted a game-high five assists and had eight shots (six on goal).

David Wiley with a team-high six ground balls, team-high 10 faceoff wins and one caused turnover, and Kyle Fischer with a game-high four caused turnovers and two ground balls led the Owls' defense. William Woods freshman goalie Drew Stubblefield recorded 13 saves, the same amount as MBU's netminder.

Unable to get their offense going early, the Owls trailed 4-0 with 3:24 left in the first quarter. DeMarco potted William Woods's lone goal of the first, scoring unassisted with seven seconds remaining to make it a three-goal contest.

Picking it up in the second quarter, the Owls went on a 5-1 run over 9:49 to tie it at 6. NewMyer slotted in Woods's first goal of the stretch, and DeMarco followed with the second soon after, with 10:57 to go in the second. After Missouri Baptist found the back of the net, the Owls added their final three goals of the run: Sam Snyder from a Brackin assist, DeMarco unassisted to complete his hat trick and Xavier Dockery with the game-tying goal off a Brackin helper, 1:55 until halftime. The Spartans registered the final goal of the half to hold a slim 7-6 advantage.

Starting the second half strong, the Owls posted the first two goals to take their first lead at 8-7; DeMarco scored his fourth goal with 13:42 left in the third quarter, then NewMyer placed the lead-changing goal past the Spartans' shot-stopper with 10:19 remaining. Missouri Baptist answered with two goals of its own as it was in front 9-8 heading into the fourth quarter.

Just 24 seconds into the fourth quarter, NewMyer leveled it at 9-all off of Brackin's assist. Then, the Owls replied with three more game-tying scores before regulation ended: NewMyer from Brackin's pass with 12:49 left, DeMarco's fifth and final goal on Brackin's fifth and final assist with 9:08 remaining and NewMyer's fifth goal with 6:50 to go that was enough to send it to overtime with it even at 12.

Unfortunately for The Woods, Missouri Baptist placed the game-winning goal inside the frame only 27 seconds into the first four-minute sudden-death overtime period.

For the contest, the Owls totaled 44 shots (25 on goal), 24 ground balls, 13 turnovers and 12 faceoff wins. The Spartans had 37 shots (26 on goal), 35 ground balls, 20 turnovers and 17 faceoff wins.

Looking back at Wililam Woods's 12-game inaugural regular season, it recorded 162 goals (13½ per game), 84 assists (seven per game), 517 shots (43.08 per game) and 152 saves (12.7 per game). The Owls ranked in the top 10 in the NAIA in two statistics: Fourth in man-down goals with four and 10th in successful clears with 95-of-128.

In his final year of college lacrosse, DeMarco should earn his third straight All-American honor. He finished the regular season ranked second in the NAIA in shots on goal (99), third in shots (172) and goals (58) and fourth in points (83).

The Owls look forward to Year 2 and building off their first lacrosse season at The Woods.