The Triangle

Issue date: 5/29/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Greg Carruccio Sideline Photos

Americans love football - and I'd like to think they are still passionate about baseball, even if it is losing ground as our pastime with each new steroid allegation that dominates every U.S. media outlet known to man.

However, with all the hype that comes with March Madness, Wimbledon, the Masters and, dare I mention NASCAR's pinnacle race, the Daytona 500, it seems as though lacrosse has become lost in the fray.

But why hasn't this sport caught on in this country?

On Memorial Day, I was fortunate to catch the end of the National Championship game that pitted No. 2 Syracuse against No. 5 Cornell. And needless to say the conclusion of this game was close to, if not as epic, as Lebron James' buzzer beating heroics in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals or Darren Helm's overtime game-winner to send the Red Wings back to the Stanley Cup Finals.

It had the comeback. It had the drama. It had the perfect ending that the college students playing in the game dreamed about when they were growing up.

The Orange trailed the Big Red by three goals in the fourth and final quarter, but rallied to get within one, 9-8, with 2:46 remaining.

It looked as though Cornell was going to win the national title in upset fashion as they gained possession of the ball with 20 seconds on the clock and looked to hold on.

However, what happened in the next 15.5 seconds was a miracle. And considering the game was being played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., I would have to think 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey captain Mike Eruzione, a Massachusetts native and hero in his own right, would agree.

As a Big Red long pole was attempting to clear the ball over midfield, his stick was knocked from behind by a lunging Syracuse midfielder.

The Orange eventually gained possession out of a scrum and began matriculating toward the Cornell goal. At this point there was only seven seconds left and Syracuse had the ball inside the Big Red's box.

Sophomore attackman Stephen Keough, who had tallied to make it 9-7, was being hawked by two Cornell defenders, but threw up a blind, behind-the-back prayer pass as he was fading away and falling to the ground.

The ball looked like it was going to be intercepted by a Big Red defender, but it deflected high off his stick into the cradle of senior attackman Kenny Nims right in front of the goal.

Continued...

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