Syracuse University
Rutgers
4/15/2006 3:03:15 PM | Men's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Sophomore attackman Mike Leveille scored with seven seconds remaining in overtime to lift the No. 12-ranked Syracuse men's lacrosse team to a 13-12 victory against Rutgers at Yurcak Field. It was the fourth-straight win for the Orange, who improved its season record to 5-4.
Leveille scored on the run from up top after Syracuse gained possession and called timeout with less than a minute remaining in overtime. It was his second goal of the afternoon. His first came off a pass from senior attackman Brett Bucktooth with 13:14 remaining in the third quarter which pulled SU to within one goal of Rutgers, 8-7.
The Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Colin Checcio scored the game's first two goals. Jeff Rommel, brother of SU senior midfielder Greg Rommel, netted Rutgers' third goal. Devon Britts gave RU a 4-0 lead by the 8:42 mark.
Syracuse mounted a comeback behind senior attackman Joe Yevoli's three first-half goals. He got the Orange on the scoreboard with a shot on the run that flew over RU goalie Greg Havalchak's left shoulder with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter. His second goal came when he was left all alone on the crease in the second quarter. Leveille found him and Yevoli finished with a pretty, behind-the-back shot. He pulled SU to within one, 5-4, with his third tally at 11:12 of the second period.
Matt Gaines netted the second of his game-high four goals to push the Rutgers lead back to two goals, 6-4. The two teams traded goals and Syracuse creeped to within 7-6 following Bucktooth's second goal with 4:59 remaining in the second quarter. That ended up being the halftime score.
The Orange rattled off six goals in the third quarter to take a 12-8 lead. Freshman midfielder Kenny Nims switched to attack for a brief stint and registered two goals. His first came on SU's only man-up opportunity of the game and tied the score at 8-8. Classmate Patrick Perritt gave SU its first lead of the contest, 9-8, with 10:10 to play in the third quarter. Nims, Bucktooth and sophomore midfielder Steve Babbles all tallied goals to increase SU's lead to 12-8. Babbles' goal with 10 seconds remaining in the period was the first of his career. He also assisted on Bucktooth's third goal of the afternoon with 3:58 remaining.
Bucktooth has now scored three goals in each of Syracuse's last three games.
Momentum totally shifted to Rutgers' side in the fourth quarter. The Scarlet Knights outscored SU, 4-0. Gaines recorded two goals. Austin Rodgers pulled RU to within 12-11 and then Tad Stanwick tied the score at 12-12 with an unassisted goal with 12 seconds remaining in regulation.
In overtime, redshirt freshman Pete Coluccini made two big saves. He finished the contest with 10 stops, his fourth-straight game with at least 10 saves.
SU won 18-of-29 faceoffs. Junior midfielder Jon Jerome won 11 of his 20 attempts.
The Orange will next be in action at home on Friday, April 21, against Albany. Faceoff is slated for 7 p.m. The game will be televised LIVE by Time Warner 26.
