This was arguably one of the best lacrosse games of all-time! Everyone can agree that it was one of the most entertaining. As a boy, I had the opportunity to attend this game and as a diehard Cuse fan, it was one that has stuck with me forever!
Both teams were absolutely loaded with talent and loved to play fast! It was a match-up made to be played on the big stage. It was one of the first games of the season and while cold in Syracuse, the conditions in the Dome were perfect to let these highly skilled and athletic teams showcase lacrosse the way the game should be played.
The final score was 22-21 Syracuse. Once the whistle blew, both teams started attacking and neither slowed down. Both defenses took chances and played very physical providing lots of highlights beyond just goals being scored. It also provided each team with a large number of man-up opportunities.
Both teams featured some of the best attack units of all-time as well. Virginia returned two-thirds of what could be considered the best attack unit ever (Watson, Knight, Whitley). Doug Knight and Micheal Watson were highflying and fun to watch. The third member of the attack unit was a young Drew McKnight who later on was one of the best attackmen in the country.
The Syracuse attack this year was one of the most underrated of all-time and I would like to throw them into the conversation of being one of the top units ever. Rob Kavovit was the returning leading scorer, team captain and QB of the offense, Casey Powell moved back to attack after being the Midfielder of the Year. The third spot was filled by the unsung hero Doug Jackson. To put this in perspective, Doug Jackson took the third attack spot over Captian/All-American Paul Carcaterra, Cuse great Matt Cutia, and a little-known player named Ryan Powell (who later tied Casey as the all-time leading scorer in Syracuse history). Doug Jackson was really good!
The midfields were loaded as well. Cuse added cult hero, Ira Vanterpool to a first midfield line with Cutia and P Carc. UVA matched this by having three of the best midfielders of the era in David Curry, Jay Jalbert, Tucker Radebaugh. Not to mention Wren, who was drawing the pole.
Watch these two loaded teams go head-to-head! Watch Casey Powell blow-up for 13pts and score his iconic behind-the-back goal on one of my favorite goalies, Chris Sanderson.
Enjoy!
Syracuse, UVa. gear up for 'game of the year'
March 03, 2011|By Edward Lee, The Baltimore Sun
..."I always admired the way Syracuse played lacrosse," Starsia said of the reasoning behind seeking an annual date with the Orange. "They were aggressive, they always played hard, they got up and down the field. So part of who I've been as a lacrosse coach is modeled, in some ways, after that style and after those Syracuse teams. They always played with flair and passion, and we wanted to bring some of that to Virginia."
Perhaps the apex of the rivalry occurred Feb. 28, 1997, when the Orange prevailed, 22-21, led by attackman Casey Powell's seven goals.
"The first one I remember was that '97 game," Galloway recalled. "You watched Casey Powell score what seemed to be 15 goals in that game. It was just a high-scoring, back-and-forth thing. It was fun to watch, and it was one of those games that made you want to be a part of this program, and we're just going to try to carry on that legacy when they come in here Friday night."
Offense has usually taken center stage when these sides convene. In this series since 1994, the Cavaliers have scored a total of 316 goals, and the Orange has 314. Only once in the past 12 meetings has one team been held to under 10 goals. (Syracuse scored eight in a three-goal loss March 3, 1997.)
Both teams play an up-tempo, no-holds-barred style — one that would seem to represent lacrosse's brash boast as "the fastest sport on two feet...."
Cuse v UVA 1997 Highlight
Cuse v UVA 1997 Highlight 2
Cuse v UVA 1997 Highlight 3
