6 seed Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse survives a swing of emotions against 3 seed Princeton to advance to Memorial Day weekend

6th seeded Syracuse men's lacrosse (13-5, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) is going back to Championship Weekend for the first time since 2013!

The Orange edged out a 19-18 win over 3rd seeded Princeton (13-4, 5-1 Ivy League) at Hofstra University on Long Island. But, this roller coaster ride of a game was a classic back and forth, heavyweight fight between two of college lacrosse’s biggest powerhouses.

After trailing 11-10 at halftime, Syracuse scored six unanswered goals and led by four heading into the final frame. Princeton then rallied with five straight scores in the fourth quarter and the game was knotted at 18 with under five minutes of play remaining.

But, Syracuse had the knockout punch. Attackman Joey Spallina found redshirt senior Owen Hiltz for a goal that put the Orange up by one with just under four minutes of play.

After teaming up for the game winning goal last week against Harvard, SU head coach Gary Gait expected those two to do the same thing again.

“We need everyone on this team and they all have roles, and their role is to make big plays,” Gait said.

But, Spallina steered the ship for Syracuse in this one.

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The junior finished the game with 4 goals and 4 assists. After not recording a point in last year’s quarterfinal matchup against Denver last year, the nation’s leader in assists per game silenced the critics.

“I guess I can’t dodge anybody or beat anybody,” Spallina said.

On the other side, a three headed monster was the source of offense for Princeton.

Attackman Chad Palumbo led the charge with a career high six goals, and two assists to go along with it. Tewaaraton finalist Coulter Mackesy and attackman Paul Buonanno each notched hat tricks as well.

As a whole, the 37 combined scores were the most in a NCAA Tournament game so far. In total, there were 18 different players that found the back of the net, with nine of them doing so more than once.

“Unfortunately only one team can win and our guys pulled it out and did a heck of a job,” Gait said.

With the Tigers in the rear view mirror, the Orange turn their attention to next weekend.

Syracuse awaits the winner of 2nd seed Maryland and Georgetown. The victor of that quarterfinal matchup battles the ‘Cuse next Saturday. Opening face off in Foxborough, Massachusetts is at approximately 2:30 p.m. Tune into WAER’s McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Faceoff at 2 p.m.