Syracuse Lacrosse: ’09 Championship brings bittersweet feelings in 2020

Syracuse lacrosse program remembers their latest titles.11 years ago they had an improbable win over Cornell. 2020 became a what-if for both schools.

Memorial Day 2009 Syracuse lacrosse locked up with Cornell for the men’s national championship. Syracuse was looking for their 11th title in school history. However the Big Red was a formidable opponent and was looking to their fourth crown and first since 1977.

Less than 20 seconds left and the Orange’s hope to become the first back-to-back national champions since Princeton threepeated from 1996-1998 was slipping away. That is when Kenny Nims spiraled all out to knock the ball from Cornell defenseman Matt Moyer’s stick to cause an all-out scramble.

Nims play to cause the turnover is almost forgotten because he was about to make one of the most iconic plays in NCAA Lacrosse history.

By the time Stephen Keogh picks up the ball the Orange only has 11 seconds left for an equalizer. Nims now finds himself on the opposite side of the field and just glides up to the net hoping to be there if his number is called.

Nims found himself receiving and over the head backward pass from Matt Abbott with a one-on-one with the Big Red goalie with less than five seconds left, leaving everything else to history.

After Syracuse forced overtime the defense once again came up big, this time by senior Sid Smith who forced a turnover leading to Cody Jamieson’s national title-clinching game-winner. Jamieson who was ineligible the first 12 games of the season per his transfer from community college scored eight goals in the NCAA Tournament.

While the title felt so improbable to those on the outside, members of the team and Syracuse fans everywhere knew the game wasn’t over until triple zeros hit the clock. Sims after the game summed up the feeling late for the Orange.

"“Never count us out,” Simms said after the 2009 National Championship Game. “This is our time of the year, simply put.”"

The nostalgia of this game will always be special for the members of that team, fans of the program, and for Central New York Lacrosse fans as a whole. Cornell versus Syracuse for the Division I national championship is a showcase of what New York lacrosse is in the landscape of the sport.

The Orange and Big Red are just the only two teams from New York to win a National Championship at the D-I level but the elite programs don’t end there. Albany and Army have also shown great growth and potential in their programs. Central New York also has the LeMoyne Dolphins and Onondaga CC Lazers to root for as they continually push what defines excellence in lacrosse.

Thinking about Syracuse vs Cornell for the title is a celebration of New York lacrosse, but it does bring a bittersweet flavor this year.  When the NCAA canceled all 2020 winter and spring championships on March 12, Syracuse (5-0) was ranked number one in the country, and Cornell (5-0) was second.

Just days before the Covid-19 pandemic washed away the remainder of the season, those around Central New York were getting excited about the possibility of a rematch for the title again. While both of these teams have played previously, another go for the national title would be special for both sides.

Syracuse Lacrosse has not hosted the trophy since 2009 and only has appeared once in the title game since then. This is the longest stretch between titles in program history since their first in 1983. Cornell’s title drought is will be at 44 years when the 2021 game rolls around next year. They have not been back to compete for once since 2009.

For Syracuse, they will be primed for another title run when 2021 comes along. Syracuse will be able to bring back Drake Porter, Danny Varello, Jamie Trimboli, and Stephen Rehfuss in 2021. But the men will not be the only team looking to bring a title to the Hill according to Syracuse.com’s Brent Axe.

The women’s team will be bringing back who Axe accurately describes as the “best player in the country,” in Emily Hawryschuk. The Orange women’s lacrosse team was ranked fourth in the nation with impressive wins over Northwestern and Maryland.

"“It’s not like we even needed a redo because we were on path to have probably one of the best seasons Syracuse lacrosse has ever had,” said goaltender Asa Golstock to Axe in April. “We don’t have to start over. We’re just picking up where we left off.”"

Unfortunately being able to bring players back for an extra year will not be in the arsenal for the Big Red in 2021. The Ivy League has denied an exception for an extra year of eligibility for seniors of spring sports in 2021. Seniors will be allowed to play for schools outside of the Ivy League if they chose.

This is means the future for players like Cornell star Jeff Teat is up in the air currently. Teat was selected 12th in the Premier Lacrosse League on May 13.

Syracuse versus Cornell in 2009 will always be special for Syracuse Lacrosse fans and sting for Big Red faithful. 2020 will be known as the year a pandemic stopped what could have been a potential rematch. Only time we tell what 2021 will have in store for these two storied programs.