Midway through the third quarter the Orange found themselves trailing for the first time in this young lacrosse season.  The Army bench was loud and raucous and Syracuse seemed in danger of suffering its first loss.
In the blink of an eye, the Orange struck back scoring five of the next six goals in the third quarter as they took a 10-7 lead into the final quarter.  The Orange held serve in the fourth and came away with a 12-9 victory over the Black Knights.
Apart from being a big win over a ranked opponent, Sunday night’s victory could be key for the team’s confidence going forward.  The Orange beat a ranked team for the second consecutive game, this time coming from behind to do so.
This momentum could be key, as the schedule does not get an easier in the coming weeks.  Syracuse will welcome rival Virginia to the Carrier Dome on Sunday in the Orange’s first ACC match-up of the season.
The Cavaliers are ranked sixth in the coach’s poll and are coming off a rout of Rutgers, Saturday.
This is the first of four ACC games the Orange will play this season and they are crucial as four of the five ACC teams will qualify for the ACC tournament in April.  If both teams play at the level they have shown through the opening weeks of the season, Orange fans are in for a great game on Sunday.
Most people knew before the season that this Syracuse team was going to be very good. They have all of the pieces to be one of, if not the best team in the nation.  Sunday’s win showed that the Orange have more than just talent.  This team has heart and a desire to win, which may prove just as important as their ability as Syracuse enters the most crucial part of its schedule.
Posted:  Logan Grossman
