No. 5 Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse (10-3, 2-1 ACC) picks up a big win at home against No. 13 Virginia Cavaliers (7-5, 2-1 ACC) 14-9 after falling in their latest ACC contest against North Carolina.
The contest followed the four-overtime win thriller the women’s team showcased just before in their 10-9 win over Notre Dame.
“It was awesome to be there live and have our whole team supporting them, and it was a great win for both programs today,” head coach Gary Gait said.
It was a dog fight at the dome, as Virginia, despite losing by five goals, led in almost every single major statistical category. They led in shots on goal with 25, ground balls with 34, and won 17 face-offs to the Orange’s 10.
In the end, it was the play of goaltender Jimmy McCool that won it for Syracuse, as the senior stopped 18 shots and held down the fort following his worst outing of the season.
“Whatever happens in the last game doesn’t matter,” Jimmy McCool said. “It’s all about just focusing on the next. Obviously, the last one wasn’t how I would have liked it to be, but it doesn’t matter. It’s just on to the next one, and I was ready to go this week.”
Despite the looks Virginia had, McCool was calm, cool, and collected between the pipes tonight, arguably playing his best game of the season.
Late in the contest, Virginia was rallying and creating scoring chances. Still, McCool denied every single one with seven fourth-quarter saves.
Two came in back-to-back instances, which got the Dome rocking.
Joey Spallina, Wyatt Hottle, and Luke Rhoa led the way for the Orange offensively, combining for 13 points against a tough Cavaliers defense.
“I just think my teammates gave me a great opportunity to score,” said Luke Rhoa. “Playing with Joey also helps.”
Spallina came into the contest six points shy of tying Mike Powell’s all-time points record of 307 with Syracuse; he finished the contest with five, leaving the senior standout right at 306 points all-time, two shy of breaking the record.
Spallina will have a chance to make history for the ‘Cuse at the Dome on Saturday, April 18th, as the Orange welcome the Colgate Raiders for a 5 P.M. faceoff.