Syracuse (13-1, 5-0 Big East) knocked off previously unbeaten Notre Dame (10-1, 5-1), 11-8, in college lacrosse’s most anticipated game of the season.
HOW THE GAME WAS WON: The Irish looked good early, scoring two quick goals, including Zach Brenneman’s goal with 8:36 in the first to give Notre Dame a 2-0 lead. But the Orange responded quickly, as Jeremy Thompson barreled down the right side and flipped a shot in between Irish goalie John Kemp’s legs to make it 2-1. From there, the Orange would score three more goals to take a 4-2 lead after the first quarter and led 9-5 at one point in the third quarter. Syracuse’s offense, which has been maligned recently, ended up scored 11 goals — the highest goal total allowed by the Irish this season.
WHAT IT MEANS: SU clinched a share of the 2011 Big East regular-season championship in front of 14,751 fans at the Carrier Dome. The crowd was the fourth largest in Dome history for a lacrosse game. The Orange remained undefeated all time in Big East play and the senior class notched their 58th victory, becoming the winningest class in school history. The win likely gives Syracuse the overall No. 1 seed for the NCAA tournament pending Syracuse’s final game of the season against St. John’s.
STAR GAZING: Steven Keogh led the Orange with four goals while Jeremy Thompson and Tommy Palasek each had a pair of scores. John Galloway was brilliant again in net, stopping 12 shots. Brenneman led Notre Dame with three goals.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Orange finish out its season playing St. John’s at the Carrier Dome on Saturday at 1 p.m.
