4-game win streak bumps Syracuse to No. 4 in national poll
Evan Jenkins | Staff Photographer
Another one-goal overtime victory has pushed Syracuse up to No. 4 in this week’s Inside Lacrosse rankings, SU’s highest rank this season.
Syracuse (6-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast) stormed back after a four-goal run by Duke in the fourth quarter, tying the game with 1:26 to go. The score stayed knotted at 11 until freshman midfielder Jamie Trimboli intercepted a pass intended for senior attack Nick Mariano and shot top shelf from 15 yards out.
It marked Syracuse’s sixth straight one-goal game, a program record. Trimboli’s game-winner is SU’s fourth this year. Trimboli made his first career start and his lone point in the game proved most important for Syracuse. Mariano finished with a hat trick while Nate Solomon, Brendan Bomberry and Sergio Salcido each finished with a pair of goals.
Scott Firman caused a game-high three turnovers and picked up three ground balls in the win. He has been a steady contributor for SU, often tasked with guarding the opponent’s best player. Duke’s Justin Guterding had a pair of goals and assists but turned the ball over five times.
Senior faceoff specialist Ben Williams is coming off his career-worst game at the X, going 4-of-18 against Duke’s Kyle Rowe. He was replaced by freshman Danny Varello, who finished the game 6-of-8, including a win on the only faceoff in overtime.
All five ACC teams are ranked in the poll released Monday: No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 4 Syracuse, No. 12 Duke, No. 14 Virginia and No. 18 North Carolina.
The Orange travels to South Bend, Indiana, for a date with top-ranked UND Saturday at noon. The Fighting Irish’s (5-1, 1-0) only loss came to Denver. UND beat Virginia and No. 5 Ohio State earlier this year.
Published on March 27, 2017 at 11:12 am
Contact Charlie: csdistur@syr.edu | @charliedisturco