The Syracuse Orange know how to give their fan base (and their opponents) heart issues, once again defeating an ACC foe by a single goal, and once again doing so in the final minutes of the game. For the second straight season, it was Jamie Trimboli scoring the game winner against the Blue Devils with just over a minute left to keep Syracuse in a good position for making the playoffs.
Had Cuse lost this game, they would have dropped to 3-4 with Notre Dame coming to the dome next weekend. But the win puts them at 4-3 with three of those wins coming against teams that were ranked in the top 10.
It was a battle back and forth all day as Syracuse took an early lead, Duke clawed back and earned a late lead, but in typical Syracuse fashion, the Orange used a fourth quarter surge to tie the game and retake control of their destiny.
Brendan Bomberry factored heavily in the scoring for the Orange putting up 4 goals on the day, and Stephen Rehfuss had the game Cuse fans have been waiting for going 2 and 3 for 5 points. Trimboli scored the games first goal, and the games last goal. He’s proven to be a Duke killer, as he scored the game winner against the Blue Devils last year in overtime, on a pass not intended for him. He did the EXACT same thing yesterday, picking up a deflection about seven yards off the crease, and stung it low past Fowler to add to his legacy as a game changer.
Brad Smith had a monster day for Duke putting up 3 goals and 2 assists, Joe Robertson showed up with 3 goals, and Justin Guterding was held quiet by Nick Mellon and company only going for a goal and 2 helpers.
Next up for Syracuse is Notre Dame at the dome Saturday evening and Duke will take on North Carolina, both ACC matchups.
