Syracuse Comes from Behind to Win Lacrosse Championship

With 30 seconds left in the game and Cornell—holding on to the lead—with possession of the ball, it looked like Syracuse’s bid for back to back NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse championships would be denied.

Cornell had showed superior ball control with long possessions throughout the game, and would look to run out the clock.

However, a turnover at midfield led to a Kenny Nims equalizer with four seconds remaining. Eighty seconds into the overtime period Syracuse attackman Cody Jameison scored the game winner, completing the comeback and putting the Orange past Cornell, 10-9.

Cornell controlled the game throughout, dominating the time of possession. Their patience and ball movement allowed them to find higher percentage shots. The longer they held onto the ball also meant that the dynamic Syracuse offense would get fewer opportunities.

The game-plan was working to perfection. A Syracuse goal that would have tied the game at seven was taken off the board because the shooter was in the crease. Cornell stormed ahead to a 9-6 lead with just five and a half minutes left.

The Big Red defense held the Orange at bay all game. The game was in no way out of reach though for such a talented offense.

Syracuse’s attack finally was able to break free from Cornell’s tough defense. Goals from Stephen Keogh and Jameison, less than a minute apart, brought life back into Syracuse as well as to the fans, who booed Cornell’s slow-down offense.

Cornell, the Cinderella story of the tournament, beat rival Princeton and then demolished top-seeded Virginia 15-6 to reach the title game. Senior John Glynn came up big in the championship game, scoring three goals, notching two assists, picking up nine ground balls, and winning ten face-offs. But they could not finish off the Orange.

Jameison was Syracuse’s biggest performer of the game. Along with the team’s eighth goal and the game-winner, he also assisted on another goal.

The win gave the schools its tenth official title—they were forced to give up their championship in 1990 because of a rules infraction.

Nims was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.