The sixth-seeded Syracuse Orange men’s lacrosse survived a frantic finish Sunday afternoon, holding off Yale Bulldogs men’s lacrosse for a 16-15 victory in front of 4,341 fans at the JMA Wireless Dome. Syracuse improved to 13-4 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for a third straight season after goalie Jimmy McCool made two clutch saves in the final 16 seconds to preserve the one-goal lead against the Bulldogs, who finished 12-5.
McCool anchored the Orange with 17 saves, while John Mullen dominated at the faceoff stripe by winning 21 of 33 draws and tying his career high with 18 ground balls. Syracuse also received balanced scoring throughout the afternoon with nine different players finding the net. Finn Thomson recorded a hat trick with two assists, Michael Leo added three goals, and Joey Spallina, Wyatt Hottle and Luke Rhoa each scored twice.
The game featured eight ties and five lead changes. Syracuse jumped ahead 2-0 in the opening minute after Mullen scored just six seconds into the contest before Hottle followed moments later. Yale answered repeatedly throughout the afternoon, including a four-goal run late in the second quarter that gave the Bulldogs an 8-7 halftime edge.
Syracuse appeared to seize control midway through the fourth quarter when Spallina’s goal pushed the lead to 16-12, but Yale stormed back with three unanswered goals in the final six minutes. After Grogan scored with 1:17 left, Yale won the ensuing faceoff and threatened to tie the game before McCool delivered two season-saving stops.
Syracuse will face third-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels men’s lacrosse in the NCAA quarterfinals Saturday, May 16 at Hofstra. It will mark the third meeting this season between the ACC rivals.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.