Syracuse Men's Lacrosse rebounds with 14-9 win over Virginia

Orange defense shines as McCool makes 16 saves in bounce-back victory

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a lacrosse game, with overlapping planes of orange, blue, and white representing the players and action on the field.Syracuse's defense and goaltending lead the way in a crucial bounce-back victory over Virginia.Syracuse Today

After a road loss to North Carolina last weekend, the Syracuse men's lacrosse team responded with a strong 14-9 win over Virginia at home inside the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange jumped out to an early lead and took control in the second half, with senior goalie Jimmy McCool making 16 saves to anchor the defense.

Why it matters

This victory helps Syracuse regain momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The Orange are looking to secure a high seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament after their earlier loss to North Carolina.

The details

Syracuse set the tone early, taking a 3-1 lead in the first quarter. The Orange's defense sparked excitement when long-pole defender Chuck Kuczynski scored in transition. Virginia trimmed the deficit late in the first half, but Syracuse took control in the third quarter, scoring six goals. Nine different Orange players found the back of the net, led by Joey Spallina's two goals and three assists. Goalie Jimmy McCool, who was pulled in last week's loss, bounced back with 16 saves.

  • Syracuse jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the opening quarter.
  • Virginia scored just before halftime to cut Syracuse's lead to one.
  • Syracuse scored six goals in the third quarter to take control of the game.

The players

Jimmy McCool

A senior goalie for Syracuse who made 16 saves to anchor the Orange defense.

Joey Spallina

A senior attack for Syracuse who led the team with two goals and three assists.

Chuck Kuczynski

A long-pole defender for Syracuse who scored a transition goal to ignite the home crowd.

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What they’re saying

“This was a huge bounce-back win for us after the loss last weekend. Our defense set the tone early, and Jimmy McCool was outstanding in goal.”

— John Desko, Syracuse Head Coach

What’s next

Syracuse will host Colgate next weekend at 5 p.m. as they look to continue their momentum heading into the postseason.

The takeaway

Syracuse's ability to respond with a dominant home victory over a strong Virginia team demonstrates the team's resilience and depth. The Orange's balanced offensive attack and stifling defense, led by goalie Jimmy McCool, will make them a tough out in the upcoming NCAA tournament.