Dramatic Comeback Sends Orange into ACC Title Game

Story by Isaac Berky
Photo by Chelsea Brobst


CHESTER, Pa. (Newhouse Sports Media Center) - The build-up to Friday night's ACC Lacrosse semi-final match up between the Syracuse Orange and the Duke Blue Devils revolved around two things; faceoffs and response. How would Chris Daddio handle the ever dominant Brendan Fowler? And how would the Orange respond after being dominated by the Blue Devils 21-7 on March 23?

In the end it was Syracuse’s offense that was the difference maker as a pair of goals in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter allowed the Orange to defeat the Blue Devils for the first time since April 3, 2011 in an instant classic. Billy Ward scored with 14 seconds remaining to tie the game before Dylan Donahue shocked everyone at PPL Park getting off a last second shot that not only beat the goaltender, but beat the clock as well. A 16-15 victory advanced the Orange into Sunday’s ACC Championship game against the winner of Notre Dame which came from behind to beat top-seed Maryland 6-5 in the second semi.

“I don’t know where it ranks,” said Orange coach John Desko after the SU-Duke game. “I’d have to go back and look but I know it’s up there.” It was a game that will have lacrosse fans talking for a long time.

“It’s kind of weird,” said Duke coach John Danowski looking at the statistics. “We got 43 shots, out ground balled them by 15, and won 21 of 32 faceoffs. But in the end it just seemed their kids won the individual battles all across the field."

One of the major question marks surrounding the Orange and their chances against the Blue Devils coming into Friday evening’s match up with the Blue Devils was how Chris Daddio would fare against Brendan Fowler at the “X.” Fowler had proven to be almost untouchable over the last two games against the Orange controlling faceoffs and helping the Blue Devils control the pace of the game. 

Early on though it was Daddio who reigned supreme. The ‘Cuse FOGO won six of the first eight face offs. But despite getting possession early the Orange were unable to convert, even on a man-up opportunity. Nicky Galasso, who had the Orange’s best chance, sent one flying high and wide of the cage.

“I wasn’t really happy with our special teams today,” Desko said. “We had been pretty good with our man-up and man-down but we weren’t as sharp today.”

The Devils pounced on an early mistake by goalie Dominic Lamolinara. Will Haus found a loose ball behind the goalie's back and buried it giving Duke a 1-0 lead. The Blue Devils controlled the pace and scoring in the first quarter despite losing the faceoff battle; after one they held a 5-2 lead over the Orange.

Role reversal

In the second quarter roles were reversed  as it was the Orange jumping out to a fast start recording the first four goals of the quarter before letting Duke back on the board. With goals from Hakeem Lecky, Kevin Rice, Randy Staats, and Derek Maltz the Orange jumped out to a 8-6 lead with 5:25 remaining in the first half. As the half wound down however it seemed that Duke had regained the offensive prowess it is known for. Four unanswered goals to end the half gave Duke all the momentum headed into the break.

The teams took turns scoring a pair of goals in the third quarter setting up a fourth quarter for the history books.

Josh Dionne gave the Blue Devils a 14-10 lead  less than a minute and a half into the final frame and Duke appeared to be cruising.

“When I scored I was just focused on getting right back and getting the next one,” Dionne said. “We didn’t really stop and think about it very much.”

But over the last ten minutes the Orange left Danesko, Dionne and the Devils from Durham something that they will think about for a while. Led by Donahue, who finished with four goals and two assists, and Kevin Rice, who had three goals and five assists, the Orange offense stormed back utilizing quick shots from close to the cage.

“I think the majority of their shots came from within five feet of the goal,” Danesko said.

“Our offense was just working and we were getting good shots,” Rice said.

After Syracuse tied the game at 14-14 Duke appeared to take a step toward the right direction as Jordan Wolf scored with 3:15 remaining.

Last second heroics and validation

Syracuse was not finished and played determined till the end.  As time wound down Randy Staats, rocking back and forth off his defender created space and sent a behind-the-back pass to an open Billy Ward. The senior who has scored the game-winner against the North Carolina Tar Heels to send the Orange to the ACC Tournament, came up big tying the game at 15-15 with 0:15 remaining. 

Then, despite having been dominated by Fowler since the first quarter had ended, Daddio came up with his biggest faceoff win of the year.

The Orange wasted no time moving downfield, getting the ball into Donahue's stick. He scored with s second left to give Syracuse a 16-15 victory.

After the game the cheers of the Orange could be heard echoing throughout PPL Park.

“Hats off to Syracuse and those kids, they played a heck of a game,” said Danesko, a sentiment that attack man Josh Dionne echoed multiple times.

Syracuse  sentiments were similar and this team seemed very different than the one that was whipped in Durham barely a month ago.

“I think it says a lot,” said Desko. “We’ve come along way.”

“We’re a much better team and I think it’s a great opportunity to make the ACC Final in our first season in the ACC,” Rice said.

Syracuse will play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday at 1 p.m. as each team looks for the ACC title in its first year in the league..

NOTES:

Dominic Lamolinara and Bobby Wardwell split time in net again, Lamolinara made 5 saves on 15 shots, Wardwell 8 saves on 13 shots… After starting 5-of-6 Chris Daddio finished 11-of-32 at the X

Syracuse Post-Game Press Conference