Syracuse University
#10 Rutgers
Rutgers Upsets Men's Lacrosse, 12-11, in Overtime
4/12/2003 6:40:28 PM | Men's Lacrosse
SYRACUSE, NY -- Jeffrey Duca scored an extra-man goal off an assist from Jamie Lovejoy at 3:03 of overtime to give No. 10 Rutgers a 12-11 upset victory against No. 4 Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. Rutgers improved to 3-0 in overtime games this season and 9-2 overall. For the Orangemen, it marked their third one-goal loss at home this season, the most losses in Carrier Dome history.
The Scarlet Knights never trailed. Duca, Lovejoy and Nick Schmidt each tallied three goals in the win. Senior midfielder Ken Springer, younger brother of Syracuse senior attackman Michael Springer, was Rutgers' leading scorer with four points (two goals, two assists). The Scarlet Knights also got a strong performance out of their freshman goaltender, Greg Havalchak, who recorded 14 saves.
Rutgers led, 6-4, at halftime. Duca's first goal of the game gave the Scarlet Knights an 8-5 advantage, with 6:31 remaining in the third period. SU freshman midfielder Brian Crockett found Michael Powell on the right side of the crease to pull the Orangemen back within two (8-6) at the 3:47 mark. Lovejoy and Springer connected to push the score to 9-6 with 2:40 left in the third quarter. Powell answered for Syracuse with 1:02 remaining, but Duca notched his second goal with 21 seconds left in the third period, which gave the Scarlet Knights a 10-7 lead heading into the final stanza.
Syracuse outscored Rutgers, 4-1, in the fourth quarter. Michael Springer netted a man-up goal at 11:38, but Rutgers managed to keep its advantage at three goals (11-8), following Schmidt's third tally of the afternoon. Liam Banks backed his way in and scored at the 6:45 mark. Sophomore midfielder Jarett Park scooped up a groundball off the ensuing faceoff, darted up the right side, around the goal, and then curled his way into the heart of the RU defense for an unassisted goal at 6:26. The equalizer came from Michael Springer, off an assist by Powell with 45 seconds remaining in regulation.
As the seconds ticked away at the end of the fourth quarter, SU All-American defenseman Solomon Bliss was whistled for a one-minute, unreleasable, unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Overtime began without a faceoff as Rutgers held a man-up advantage. The Scarlet Knights made the most of their opportunity.
The Orangemen are 7-3 on the season. They will play their last three regular-season games on the road, beginning April 17, when they travel to Hofstra for a 7 p.m. start against the Pride at Hofstra Stadium. The game will be broadcast LIVE on CSTV (College Sports Television).
NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse
RUTGERS 12, SYRACUSE 11 (OVERTIME)
Rutgers 2-4-4-1-1=12
Syracuse 2-2-3-4-0=11
Rutgers Goals: Jeffrey Duca 3, Jamie Lovejoy 3, Nick Schmidt 3, Ken Springer 2, Delby Powless 1.
Rutgers Assists: Ken Springer 2, Jamie Lovejoy 1, Jeffrey Duca 1.
Syracuse Goals: Michael Springer 3, Michael Powell 2, Brian Nee 2, Brian Crockett 1, Liam Banks 1, Pat Hogan 1, Jarett Park 1.
Syracuse Assists: Brian Crockett 2, Michael Powell 2, Liam Banks 1.
Shots: Syracuse 47, Rutgers 33
Saves: Syracuse 8 (Jay Pfeifer), Rutgers 14 (Greg Havalchak)
Groundballs: Syracuse 37, Rutgers 34
Faceoffs: Syracuse 13-26, Rutgers 13-26
Clears: Syracuse 19-21, Rutgers 26-31
Extra-Man: Syracuse 3-8, Rutgers 1-5
Penalties: Syracuse 5/3:00, Rutgers 8/7:30
Attendance: 6,083
