One year ago, the regular season finale between Syracuse and Navy came down to the wire, in a matchup reignitated after 14 years.
The battle at the faceoff X was the lead story line coming into the game. Brothers Joe Vurello for Navy and Danny Vurello for Syracuse were going against each other at that spot all game long.
With 30 seconds remaining, Syracuse was clinging onto a one goal lead before Navy tied it up. On the final faceoff of the game, it was the elder Vurello who took control of the ball and sent it into the back of the net as time expired, leading his team to a shocking 13-12 win.
This season, Syracuse (8-3) and Navy (5-6) meet once again for the conclusion of the regular season, as the Orange looks to avoid another upset loss and win four games in a row for the first time in two seasons.
Syracuse will have to avoid prematurely shifting their focus towards the ACC tournament, which begins on Thursday. The Orange will face North Carolina in its first game, a team they defeated 12-9 last Saturday, but the exact seeding is yet to be determined and the matchup can come in either the first or second round.
If North Carolina defeats Notre Dame tomorrow, that creates a three way tie (Duke, UNC, and Syracuse) for the number two seed. Since Syracuse defeated both teams, they get that two spot, facing three seeded UNC in the second round on Saturday.
A UNC loss to Notre Dame creates a three way tie (Notre Dame, Duke, Syracuse) for the second seed. All teams are 1-1 against each other, but because of head-to-head tiebreakers, the Orange would fall to the four seed, forcing a matchup with UNC in the first round on Thursday.
A North Carolina win is more advantages for John Desko's team, but they must avoid focusing too much into the ACC tournament. While fans and team members are rooting for UNC tomorrow, as last year showed, no game is ever safe for the "Cardiac Cuse."
Gametime from Annapolis is set for 5 pm, as Syracuse plays at Navy for the first time since 1982. For pregame coverage, tune in to 88.3 FM or WAER.org at 4:30 for Countdown to Faceoff.