Is Syracuse lacrosse back? Maybe. Is the SU-Virginia rivalry back? Definitely

Syracuse, NY — Now that was Syracuse-Virginia lacrosse.

Nevermind the last five matches prior to Saturday afternoon’s thriller at the JMA Wireless Dome, an 18-17 victory for the Orange over the Cavaliers.

The SU-Virginia games played from 2021-2023 and decided by an average of 6.8 goals may count for the record, but they’re out of place in a rivalry that has produced some of the best games in the sport’s history.

Saturday’s game woke up the true spirit of Syracuse-Virginia lacrosse, represented more aptly by the five games played from 2016-2019, all decided by one goal.

The Orange and Cavaliers traded scoring runs like two established tennis pros sending aces at each other all afternoon before 8,348 raucous fans at the dome.

Virginia started the game with a 4-1 lead. That was answered by a six-goal run by the Orange to grab a 7-4 advantage with 10:57 remaining in the second quarter.

The Cavaliers punched back by scoring four of the last five goals of the first half, making it a 9-9 game at halftime.

Syracuse tilted the game back in its favor with a four-goal run at the start of the third period to take a 13-10 lead with 8:50 remaining in the third period.

Virginia swung the game back its way by scoring seven of the next eight goals to take a 17-14 lead with 9:18 remaining.

The Orange would have the last and definitive laugh, scoring four-straight goals down the stretch to win.

Sammy English scored SU’s winning goal with 48 seconds remaining, but it was the tying goal with 1:44 remaining that will take its place in SU-Virginia lore.

SU defenseman Billy Dwan raked up the ball in a scrum at the top of the crease and cashed in an over-the-shoulder prayer.

It was instant redemption for Dwan, who was flagged for checking a UVA player on a possession that ended in a score to put the Cavaliers up 16-14 and a two-minute unreleasable penalty.

Virginia coach Lars Tiffany, a Lafayette native, couldn’t help but smile and appreciate what he was part of despite his team losing.

“These two teams have an incredible, rich history and today we add to it, don’t we?” Tiffany said. “As a tremendous benefactor from the game of lacrosse what it has done for me, building incredible relationships with the Onondaga people as a boy who grew up on this town, I couldn’t be more grateful to be part of the Virginia-Syracuse rivalry .”

The series is now tied at 21.

The win not only woke up the echoes of Syracuse-Virginia classics of the past, it exorcised a chronic issue Syracuse has had in tight games this season.

The Orange has lost three games in overtime with fourth-quarter issues being at the heart of those defeats.

Syracuse held off a fourth trip to sudden death this time with Dwan providing a clutch takeaway with 22 seconds remaining. SU goaltender Will Mark made the most important of his 15 saves with three seconds remaining on UVA’s Jack Boyden to seal the victory.

The timing was impeccable for Syracuse coach Gary Gait, who preached all season about his team being close to a breakthrough.

“We’ve been in this situation a few times before this year and we came up short,” Gait said. “We’ve been working all year on situational lacrosse. Hopefully we’ve turned the corner. These guys figured out how to get it done today.”

Owen Hiltz led Syracuse with eight points (three goals, five assists). Finn Thompson and Christian Mulé also scored three goals for the Orange.

Connor Shellenberger led Virginia with nine points (four goals, five assists).

Paul Gait’s No. 19 jersey getting lifted to the rafters Saturday reminded of the glory days of Syracuse lacrosse.

The Orange (11-4, 3-1) now enters postseason play, starting with the ACC tournament on May 3, with a big question hanging over its head.

Is Syracuse lacrosse back?

That’s tough to answer in ink with the standards written in its past with 27 Final Fours, 11 national titles and six undefeated seasons.

It feels like Syracuse would have to add to its Final Four tally to make that official.

But is the Syracuse-Virginia rivalry back?

Saturday’s instant classic rubber stamped that answered.

YES.

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