Two of the top five most winningest programs in Division I lacrosse, No. 6 Syracuse and West Point faced off for the 64th time on Saturday. The Black Knights (3-1) came out on top, 14-13, for their 40th victory against the Orange (2-1).
It was the same old story for the comeback kids, this time with a different ending. Last week, Nick Mariano scored with 1.6 seconds left to beat No. 12 Albany. This week it was Army's David Symmes scoring with a half-second remaining to upset the Orange.
This was Army’s first win in its last six matchups against Syracuse, and just its third in the last 21 meetings. West Point is one of only 11 programs that have a winning record against the Orange, out of the 93 programs that Syracuse has faced in the team’s more than 100-year history.
Army dominated the ground balls, out-scoring Syracuse 31-24. It also outshot the Orange 47-31.
The first half was dominated by offensive play with Syracuse letting up eight goals to six different Black Knights. The Orange got out to a quick 2-0 start thanks to goals by Brendan Bomberry and Ryan Simmons. Army quickly returned the favor, scoring two of its own off the sticks of Nate Jones and Ted Glesener on a man-up opportunity.
Black Knight Nick Santorelli scored with five seconds remaining in the first quarter, giving Army a one goal lead, 4-3, heading into the second period. The next period played out the same way the first did, with both Syracuse and Army matching their first period goal scores. SU head into the locker room down two, 8-6.
The second half followed a similar narrative to the week before, as the Orange played from behind seeking a comeback. Syracuse played catch up for most of the second half, trailing by two for the entire third quarter. Penalties were the name of the game for both teams in the second half, as both teams combined for five minutes-worth of man-up opportunities.
Syracuse tied the game at 12 with five minutes left in the fourth quarter after a rifled goal by Jordan Evans, tying the score for the first time since the 12-minute mark of the second quarter. Syracuse played with two men up for the next minute of the game but could not capitalize.
Symmes broke the tie when he found the back of the net with four minutes left in the final period. He ended up scoring both of his goals on the day in the final four minutes of the game.
Nick Mariano found the back of the net for the third time in the game with two minutes remaining, knotting the game at 13. Mariano finished the game with four points, but it was Symmes who found the back of the net with 0.5 seconds left to give Army the victory.
Syracuse goalie and ACC defensive player of the week Evan Malloy finished with 12 saves on the afternoon.
The Orange suit up again on Sunday to start ACC play when it hosts ninth-ranked Virginia. The Cavaliers are coming off their own one-point loss at the hands of the University of Pennsylvania. They host High Point this week before traveling to Central New York.