Syracuse 5 - Villanova 4: The Cardiac Citrus Ride On

If this keeps up, the Syracuse lacrosse team is going to accomplish a multitude of things this season.

1. They're going to set some kind of modern-day record for lowest-scoring regular season in history.

2. They're going to murder their entire fanbase.

3. They're going to win another National Title.

It ain't pretty. It ain't nice. It ain't terribly fun to watch. But it's a win. Such was the case Saturday when the Orange won their second-straight game by the score of 5-4, this time over Big East rival Villanova.

JoJo Marasco asked for and received the right to wear No. 22 for Syracuse this season. Saturday he officially earned the right, scoring the game-winning goal with 6.3 seconds to play. The goal not only saved the Orange's undefeated season but also helped erase the many turnovers and mistakes SU made during the game.

Watch the game-winning goal here.

Whereas Johns Hopkins stalled their way into overtime against the Orange, Villanova merely played their game while Syracuse kept sabotaging itself over and over. Taking a page from the Syracuse basketball team, this Orange squad has 19 turnovers on the day.

While Marasco gets the glory, it was Jovan Miller who set No. 22 up for the game-winner.

But after 59:45 of offensive frustration, Miller took his chance with 15 seconds left. He juked on Villanova's Mike Brennan and got his hands free enough for a quick feed to Marasco. The sophomore caught and fired on net to suck the wind out of the Wildcats' sails and send Syracuse home with a win.

Miller also added a goal. Marasaco had two goals while Stephen Keogh and Kevin Drew added one apiece.

It was the Syracuse defense that really won the game for the Orange.

For the second consecutive game, SU's defensive unit was left with the responsibility of holding the lead at all costs. In its last game against Johns Hopkins, the defense held the Blue Jays in check for four quarters and two overtimes. Against the Wildcats, it had to hold its opponent again. The Orange simply couldn't find the back of the net. As the SU scorers have gone into a mini slump, the defense has kept the Orange's winning streak alive.

Villanova couldn't find the back of the net, either. The Syracuse defense held the Wildcats scoreless for a 36:22 stretch that spanned the second and fourth quarters. The Orange also forced 23 turnovers.

John Galloway, who was great with 11 saves, tied Princeton goalie Scott Bacigalupo as the NCAA Division all-time career wins leader with 51 victories. He'll look to break that record against defending National Champion Duke on April 3rd in the Big City Classic.

Kudos to Villanova for playing a good game. While we don't want them beating us anytime soon, we want the Big East to keep improving around us. Clearly, Nova is moving in the right direction.

The Orange need to sort out their offensive issues in order to match the defense. Do that and they can beat anyone. They're doing that already, but barely. It'd be nice to win one running away for once. Not that the schedule provides too many opportunities to do so.

• Post-Game Interview with JoJo Marasco...CitrusTV
• Post-Game Player Press Conference...CitrusTV
• Coach Desko Press Conference...CitrusTV
• Men's Lacrosse Beat Reporter Amy Hayden talks about the win...CitrusTV
• Marasco’s late goal lifts Orange to win over Wildcats...The Juice Online