In its final game of the regular season, @CuseMLAX emerged victorious against @UVAMensLax in an 18-17 thriller after Paul Gait had his jersey retired. @AndrewSelover and @IanNicholasTV had the call from inside the JMA Wireless Dome. pic.twitter.com/eQ1kvmlDsU
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) April 20, 2024
In the regular season finale, No. 6 Syracuse men's lacrosse (11-4, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) upset No. 4 Virginia (10-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) 18-17 in a thriller inside the JMA Wireless Dome. This victory gave Syracuse its third top-five win of the campaign.
"These guys figured out how to get it done today," Syracuse head coach Gary Gait said.
That wasn't the case early on, as Virginia knotted four of the first five goals, including a pair of scores by UVA's most prolific scorer, Payton Cormier.
Syracuse then hit the throttle, scoring six unanswered goals. Owen Hiltz began and ended the rally while collecting a season-high eight points. The redshirt junior also tied his career high with five assists.
Syracuse moved the ball around quickly to set up a goal for attackman Owen Hiltz.@AndrewSelover was on the mic for a tally that energized Gary Gait's squad.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) April 20, 2024
🎙️https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P, @waer883 pic.twitter.com/kwrw96iuuv
The Cavaliers responded when Connor Shellenberger scored two consecutive goals to cap off the first half, and the teams went into the break deadlocked, 9-9.
Paul Gait, an Orange legend, was recognized during halftime. A banner was lifted to the Dome's rafters, revealing his jersey number, 19. His name is alongside Michael Powell's number 22 jersey and his twin brother, Gary Gait.
"There will never be another duo like Paul and Gary," Virginia head coach Lars Tiffany said.
Syracuse and Virginia each produced runs to tie the game at 13 in the early parts of the fourth quarter.
Will Mark and Matthew Nunes were standout goaltenders for their respective teams, making 15 saves each. Mark recorded 15 stops for the third time in the last four games.
SU goalie Will Mark denied the persistent UVA attack.@AndrewSelover had the call for the netminder's diving stop.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) April 20, 2024
🎙️ https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P, @waer883 pic.twitter.com/cIcrxjUUth
After Christian Mulé netted his third of the game, the 'Hoos scored four in a row to claim a 17-14 lead with under nine minutes left on the clock.
Just when you thought the Orange had run out of steam, Cardiac 'Cuse struck. With 1:44 left, Billy Dwan shoveled a shot over his back that went past the keeper and leveled the score. Then, with 48 seconds remaining, Sam English sliced to the crease and threw in the game-winning goal. In the last 7:30 of the game, the Orange scored four goals in a row to take the lead for good.
SU midfielder Jake Stevens got up close and personal for the score.@IanNicholasTV was on the mic for the grad student's slick finish.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) April 20, 2024
🎙️ https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P, @waer883 pic.twitter.com/hgr4xskpqP
“To be able to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, which we haven’t been able to do lately, it’s exciting for us,” Gait said.
Syracuse now awaits seeding in the ACC Tournament. The semifinal round starts on May 3rd in Charlotte, North Carolina.
