Orange Comeback Comes Up Short, UNC Advances 16-15

Friday, April 28

Durham, N.C.

6 p.m.

Syracuse University

11-2

#18 North Carolina

7-7

North Carolina

Syracuse

Photo by: David Gunn

Orange Comeback Comes Up Short, UNC Advances 16-15

4/28/2017 9:12:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

The No. 1 Syracuse men's lacrosse team (11-2) nearly erased a nine-goal deficit halftime deficit to No. 18 North Carolina (7-7), twice pulling to within one in the second half, including having a chance to tie the game with under 30 seconds to play. However the Tar Heels prevailed, advancing to Sunday's ACC Tournament final with a 16-15 victory over the Orange.

After trailing 13-4 at the break, 'Cuse erupted out of the locker room in the second half, going on an 8-0 run throughout the third quarter to pull within one at 13-12 heading into the final frame, but ultimate

Nick Mariano scored three times in the run, while Sergio Salcido (2-1) and Jordan Evans (0-4) had big third quarters to get the Orange back in the action. After Tanner Cook and Matt Lane traded goals to start the fourth, the Tar Heels got back-to-back goals from Chris Cloutier and Luke Goldsock to open back a three goal lead with under six minutes to play.

Syracuse once again would battle back, as they have so many times this season, with a goal from Salcido with 4:11 to play and another from Brendan Bomberry with less than 30 seconds left.

After the Orange won the ensuing faceoff on a defensive side exit, 'Cuse pushed the ball up the field and with less than five seconds to go Salcido sent a pass into traffic intended for Evans, but the ball was deflected on the way and time ran out before the Orange had a shot at equalizing.

Evans led the way with a career-best six assists on the day, recording seven points in the loss, while Salcido (3-2) contributed five. Nick Mariano (3-0), Jamie Trimboli (2-0), Brendan Bomberry (2-0), Stephen Rehfuss (1-1) and Matt Lane (1-1) had multi-goal games on the day.

Ben Williams won 11 of the final-18 faceoffs to go 16-of-31 on the day overall.

Syracuse will next face Colgate at Noon on Saturday, May 6 in Hamilton, N.Y.