With three minutes remaining in the third quarter of last weekend’s game at Virginia, the Cavaliers were charging back from a five goal deficit to pull within one score, and someone for the Orange would have to step up.
Junior attack Owen Seebold moved to the X position behind Virginia’s goal and waited for his opportunity. Luckily for Syracuse, making the most of an opportunity is something Seebold has been ready for all year.
Seconds later, freshman attack Owen Hiltz found Seebold 10 yards behind the goal. Seebold wasted no time rushing the net, catching Cavaliers middie John Fox sleeping in the crease. By the time he was able to rotate over, Seebold had fired a rocket into the top right corner.
The goal put the Orange up two, and kicked off a run of four goals that Syracuse would need every one of in order to hold on and claim a tight 13-11 victory.
With sophomore attack Chase Scanlan still uncertain, Seebold knew all week that this was his opportunity to step up.
“Early this week in practice when I got the word I’d be going on attack I was really excited,” Seebold said following SU’s win over Virginia. “I always stay prepared… I saw the opportunity and I seized it.”
And seize it he did.
Seebold scored two goals and had two assists, notching a career-high four points for Syracuse in a must-win game. On the road. Without their leading scorer. Against the fifth ranked team in the nation.
Not bad for your first career start.
The win was massive for Syracuse’s chances at making the Tournament.
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After a three game conference skid, last weekend’s win gives Syracuse its second win against a top 5 team this year, and sets them up to hit .500 in the ACC with the Orange traveling to play Notre Dame on Saturday.
Those will both be crucial factors for the Orange to make the tourney. With Seebold playing as well as he has for Scanlan, the team feels good about their chances.
“There’s some relief because we’ve been waiting on a big win like this,” Seebold said. “But as happy as we are, we’re taking the mindset that we’re in the playoffs now…today was round one, next week at Notre Dame is round two.”
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