One could make a reasonable case that Syracuse men's lacrosse is the most prolific program in the history of the sport.
That being said, the Orange hasn't been the same dominant squad in recent years as it was decades ago, including when I was a student at Syracuse University from 1996 to 2000.
But under former legendary player and head coach Gary Gait, who is in his fourth year leading his alma mater, the Syracuse Orange has made solid progress, reaching the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals a stanza ago and doing (at least) one better so far in the current campaign.
As such, I feel confident in saying that Syracuse men's lacrosse is back. Is the 'Cuse the best team in the sport? That remains to be seen. Will Syracuse win the 2025 NCAA Tournament? That also remains to be seen.
Syracuse men's lacrosse has advanced to the national semifinals.
Yet after not reaching the Final Four in more than a decade (since 2013, to be exact), Syracuse men's lacrosse did just that on Saturday in Hempstead, N.Y., on Long Island. The NCAA Tournament's No. 6 seed in 2025, the Orange snuck past one of its long-time rivals and another powerhouse program, the No. 3 seed Princeton, by a final count of 19-18 in a thrilling encounter.
It was a back-and-forth affair with wild swings, many lead changes and tons of tie scores. Candidly, I thought that the 'Cuse was cooked when it saw a 16-11 advantage evaporate in the fourth quarter. The Tigers would take the lead, but Syracuse men's lacrosse didn't throw in the towel, showing tons of grit, guts and toughness in managing to prevail by one goal.
In the Final Four, the Orange will play either No. 2 seed Maryland or Georgetown, two programs from the DMV that were set to battle in the quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon. The national semifinals and final game will take place on May 24 and May 26, respectively, at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Syracuse men's lacrosse, by the way, won its last-two NCAA grand prizes, in 2008 and 2009, at Gilette Stadium.
Just saying.
Syracuse men's lacrosse, which also captured this season's ACC tournament title, has now reached the championship weekend on 27 occasions, which is No. 3 all-time. And the Orange is two wins from further extending its national record of the most NCAA championships, as the 'Cuse aims for its 12th crown.
I was so nervous on Saturday. And I was so elated when my beloved Orange emerged victorious, as Syracuse men's lacrosse continues its beautiful 2025 NCAA Tournament journey.