Late Push Propels #9 Orange To Second-Consecutive Goes Trophy

Friday, April 20

Annapolis, Md.

6:00 a.m.

Syracuse University

Goes Trophy (Cornell, Navy)

The Syracuse varsity eight came from behind in the final stretch to win the Goes Trophy

Late Push Propels #9 Orange To Second-Consecutive Goes Trophy

4/20/2007 10:14:18 AM | Men's Rowing

Complete Results

Annapolis, Md.-For the first time since 1959, the Syracuse men’s rowing team won the Goes Trophy for a second-consecutive year. The ninth-ranked Orange won the varsity eight race, beating 15th-ranked Cornell by nearly two seconds and Navy by almost 10. The Orange JV and third varsity eights both took second in their races, while the freshman eight came in third. Cornell won the Stagg Trophy, awarded to the team with the most overall points in the regatta, with 10 points, followed by Syracuse with nine points and Navy with eight.

“Any time you win the Goes Trophy, whether it’s back-to-back or just once, you are very fortunate,” said head coach Dave Reischman after the race. “This is the most important race on the schedule for all of these teams before the Eastern Sprints and we feel fortunate to have won it.”

In the varsity race, Syracuse used a late charge for the victory. Cornell took the lead at the start, with Syracuse and Navy even behind. After the first 1,000 meters, the Big Red’s lead stretched to a full length and it held that advantage until the last 450 meters. Syracuse was able to make up the distance in the final push and move past Cornell for the victory.

“Cornell had a brilliant race,” Reischman said. “They put on the pressure early and did exactly what they needed to do to win. Our guys kept their composure, they didn’t panic at all, and just kept working. (Senior coxswain) Chad Taylor bumped it up with 450 meters left and again with about 300 meters left and that made a big difference.”

There was controversy at the finish, however. The officials ruled that Cornell boat interfered with navy between the 1,200-1,400 meter mark. Based on this ruling, Navy was awarded second place in the varsity race and Cornell was put in third.

The Syracuse JV and third varsity boats both came in second place in their respective races. Cornell won the junior varsity race by 8.2 seconds. In the third varsity race, the Big Red edged past the Orange by a matter of feet, winning by 0.2 seconds.

“The third varsity race was a lot like the varsity,” Reischman said. “They were down early and kept their composure. With about 250 meters left, the two boats were about even; Syracuse was maybe a little bit ahead. Cornell came through in the last 100. Our JV boat was a little bit inconsistent. They showed in practice this week that they have more speed than that, they just have to find it.”

The Orange faces Boston University and Columbia in the Conlan Cup on Sunday, April 29, in New York City. Racing begins at 9:50 a.m.