No. 5 Syracuse Hosts No. 13 Virginia in ACC Showdown

Orange look to rebound against red-hot Cavaliers on Ring of Honor and Alumni Weekend

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:00am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and competing forces of a lacrosse game, using bold colors and angular shapes to capture the energy of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the intense action on the lacrosse field as two top-ranked teams clash in a key ACC showdown.Syracuse Today

No. 5 Syracuse (9-3, 1-1 ACC) will host No. 13 Virginia (7-4, 2-0 ACC) on Saturday in a key ACC men's lacrosse matchup. The game is part of a tripleheader at the Carrier Dome, with the Syracuse women's team facing No. 19 Notre Dame at noon and the Orange football team holding its spring game after the men's lacrosse contest. During halftime, legendary head coach John Desko will be inducted into the Ring of Honor, becoming the 10th member of the prestigious group.

Why it matters

This game features two top-15 teams looking to make a statement in ACC play. Syracuse is looking to bounce back after a loss to No. 1 North Carolina, while Virginia has won four straight games, including a victory over No. 7 Duke. The Ring of Honor induction for coach Desko adds extra significance, as he was a key figure in the program's 11 NCAA championships over his 46-year tenure.

The details

Syracuse and Virginia have met 43 times dating back to 1938, with the Orange holding a 22-21 advantage in the all-time series. The teams last faced off in 2025, with Virginia earning a 14-10 win. This season, Syracuse has split its two previous meetings against teams ranked 13th, defeating Harvard but falling to Georgetown. The Orange have been unselfish in their play, with at least half their goals assisted in six of their last seven wins, including 87.5% of the goals in the win over Duke being assisted.

  • The game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. ET start on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The Ring of Honor induction ceremony for coach John Desko will take place at halftime.

The players

John Desko

A touchstone in the Syracuse men's lacrosse program for 46 years, Desko will be inducted into the Ring of Honor, becoming the 10th member of the prestigious group. He collected 265 wins as head coach and was part of all 11 of Syracuse's NCAA Division I National Championships.

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What’s next

A win on Saturday would improve Syracuse's all-time record against Virginia to 23-21, including a 10-6 mark at home against the Cavaliers. It would also be the 971st win in program history, the second-most all-time among Division I programs.

The takeaway

This matchup between two top-15 teams in the ACC features an added layer of significance with the Ring of Honor induction for legendary Syracuse coach John Desko. The Orange's unselfish play and ability to share the ball will be key as they look to bounce back from their recent loss and cool off the red-hot Cavaliers.