Games of the year #7- Syracuse vs Cornell

Now as we get into our top seven, we have a lot of college games here. We start off with a nail biter between Syracuse and Cornell. This game comes down to the final second, as the #2 team in the nation holds on....

This game ended wild, but started off like any other game, when Syracuse's Max Bartig scored on the first shot of the game with 10:27 left in the first quarter. Most of the period were long possessions by each team, with niether really able to get much done. Finally a tally was put up for Cornell with Ryan Hurley's goal at 4:36
left going into the second.
Senior Chris Daniello scored to lead of the second for Syracuse, but the Big Red of Cornell were able to bounce back with goals from Roy Lang and David Lau. The rest of the period carryed on like the first, with both goalies having good games to that point. The quarter ended the same, and Syracuse faced their third halftime deficit of the season.
The tempo of the game finally got going in the third, but with not many goals still. Cody Jaimeson was able to get two back for Syracuse, including an impressive rebound goal off Tim Desko with 3:41 in the quarter.
Cornell was able to bury two goals, however, to make the game 6-4 in the favor of the Big Red with 10:55 left in the game. Cornell and Syracuse were able to exchange goals later in the period, but then Syracuse tied it late with goals from Tim Desko and Jovan Miller.
As the clock ticked down to 30 seconds, John Lade forced a turnover for Syracuse to get the final possession of the game. Surprisingly, head coach John Desko did not call a timeout as his team raced to the box to get off the final shot. Jaimeson got the ball with seconds ticking off, and fired to be saved by goaltender AJ Fiore. But Chris Daniello was able to pick up the rebound and score with 0:01 left on the clock.
Game Notes:
Syracuse had come back down three goals late, simaler to their championship in 2008 over Cornell. Junior goaltender John Galloway of Syracuse was a career 40-5 after that game. Syracuse outshot Cornell 40-20. Jaimeson and Daniello were the only multi-point scorers for Syracuse. Syracuse extended it's winning streak to seven games.

Media Coverage:
Inside Lacrosse

Game of the year #10- Colorado over Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines were the #1 team in the MCLA, and on a 49 game winning streak. The #22 Colorado Buffaloes, on a four game losing streak, were the obvious underdogs.
The Wolverines streak of 49 consecutive wins spanned three seasons and two national championships, while Colorado had so many problems they changed their coach mid season.
Colorado was also 2-5, with six remaining games vs top ten teams. They were done, season over. “Nobody thought we were going to beat Michigan,” said Mike Ryder, Colorado’s new head coach. “Even some of our fans didn’t think we’d win this game.”

The Buffaloes started this one off on the right note, with AJ Blackburn scoring only 1:12 into the game. Little did they know at the time, that was the game winning goal, as Colorado never looked back.
Michigan was dysfunctional all period, with their dynamic duo of Kevin Zorovich and Trevor Yealy not being able to penetrate the Colorado defense.
Colorado scored three more goals in the period, another by Blackburn, and then Colin Rosenblum and Darren Hulik. Michigan was able to score one in the period, a tally from Clark McIntyre.
The second period was more of the same for both teams, except for Zorovich and Yealy scoring one a piece to make it 4-3 and get back into the game a little bit.
However, Roseblum scored two more goals for the hat trick and Kyle Drive beat the buzzer in Colorado's final possession of the half.
If Michigan was able to make any halftime adjustments, they did not show it. The third quarter continued like the previous, with five goals by the Buffaloes to the Wolverines two.
The fourth quarter began with I am sure the Buffaloes feeling like they were about to accomplish the unthinkable. And the Wolverines either felt a sense of panic or determination to get that 50th win in a row, and remain atop the MCLA standings.
Michigan showed up and played their game, playing physical and being aggressive on loose balls. Colorado salvaged an early goal in the period, but did not get more than that. The Wolverines finished the period out shooting the Buffaloes 16-6.
The defense was getting tired in the end, and head coach Mike Ryder had to call a timeout late, where he told his team to "just finish".
Michigan kept the pressure going all period, with time of possession dominating in the Wolverines favor. Goaltender Brad MacNee absolutely stood on his head all period.
“We knew we had the game up”, MacNee stated, “we also knew that it could go away in a second. We kept it tight, they got a few quick ones in, but we stayed calm and came out on top and held it until the last second.”
By the waning seconds of the period Michigan had all the momentum, but Colorado was able to hold on by the skin of their teeth and come out with a victory, and a stunning upset.
“The MCLA is a great league”, Ryder further commented. “A lot of tough competition and Michigan has played in a lot of close games. No one thought we were going to win this one coming in, they thought we were going to be number 50. But it’s one thing I told these guys, we got to end this streak today on our field. We just couldn’t afford to lose anymore on this turf. And this is going to be a turning point for the rest of this program’s season. “
Meanwhile, there is always the other side to an upset. And Michigan coach John Paul talked to the media after the game, saying “It was a matter of time. We were flat all day and in warm-ups. We’re telling the guys right up to the start that they were about to get punched in the mouth.”

Media Coverage:
Lacrosse Magazine

Knighthawks D-Man inducted Into Rochester Lacrosse HOF... + Lax Links

Rochester Knighthawks defenseman Chris Schiller, former Rattlers head coach BJ O'Hara, and two others will be inducted into the US Lacrosse Greater Rochester Hall of Fame. Schiller just recently signed a three year extension with the team.

Now Lax Links.... NCAA Edition!

A rule I like, the NCAA will try to remove all hits to the head- Lacrosse Magazine

Cal's coach looks at why the school cut women's lacrosse- Lacrosse Magazine

A check in with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish- Inside Lacrosse

This week we will do a feature looking at players to watch this NLL season.