18th ranked Syracuse improved their regular season record to 2-1 after beating the 6th ranked Virginia Cavaliers (4-1) at the Carrier Dome Friday night. Sophomore Kevin Rice netted the game winner in thrilling fashion with only 1:00 left in the first OT to give the Orange a 9-8 victory.
On Syracuse’s first possession of OT, fellow attackman Dylan Donahue set up Rice who buried a laser from five yards out over the shoulder of Virginia’s freshman goalie Dan Marino.
It was Rice’s first career game winning goal and Virginia’s first OT loss since falling to Johns Hopkins at Klockner Stadium last season.
Syracuse’s victory improved their record to 8-3 versus Virginia in their last 11 games and to 13-13 since 1994. It was also the fifth time in seven games that the outcome was decided by a one goal difference.
Oshawa, ON native Mark Cockerton opened the scoring at 12:58 in the first quarter for Virginia, which saw them take a 2-0 lead early. Senior Luke Cometti started a four goal run at 9:46 that allowed Syracuse to take a 4-3 lead after the first quarter.
Virginia held Syracuse off the score sheet in the second quarter and had three unanswered goals of their own that allowed them to lead 6-4 at halftime. Syracuse’s LSM Matt Harris sparked the offense by scoring the first transition goal of the game at 12:52 of the third quarter which saw Syracuse take a 7-6 lead into the fourth.
Senior defensive middy Matt Pratt scored a quick transition goal at 13:32 of the fourth quarter for Syracuse to make it 8-6. In response, Virginia’s Charlie Streep and Matt White scored back to back goals to tie the game at 8-8 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the fourth. The rest of the quarter was scoreless with up-tempo, end to end action taking place. Syracuse called a timeout with 36.8 seconds left in the quarter but failed to take the lead with the final possession of regulation.
In overtime, faceoff specialist Mick Parks (16/21) continued his dominance for Virginia winning the opening draw which allowed Virginia to possess the ball until a weak shot by White at 2:27 of OT gave Syracuse possession. After a Syracuse timeout, Rice tallied the OT winner with 1:00 remaining.
Virginia’s Cockerton and Rob Emery led their team with two goals each. Marino made seven saves in his first loss as a Cavalier.
Senior JoJo Marasco led Syracuse with two goals. Donahue collected a goal and an assist. Goalie Bobby Wardwell registered nine saves in the victory.
Despite the loss, the Cavaliers were 2/4 on extra man opportunities while Syracuse went 0/3.
Next action for Syracuse is March 3rd versus St. John’s (3-1) in Chester, PA at the inaugural Independence Day Classic, game time 12 pm.
Virginia is back at it Tuesday when they host Vermont (1-4) at Klockner Stadium – 7 pm.
