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It just wouldn't seem right for the Syracuse Orange to play the Virginia Cavaliers in lacrosse and both teams not be ranked among the top three in the nation. At least, that seems to be the thinking of the Coaches Poll this week when it rocketed the Orange up to No. 3 as they prepared to enter Charlottesville and take on the defending National Champ and current No. 1 Virginia.
If you're a fan of college lacrosse, this match-up needs no introduction or sales pitch. You'll be watching.
If you're not a fan of college lacrosse, just know that if there are only 2-3 games you'd consider paying attention to all season, this is one of them.
College Crosse gets into the nitty-gritty of what makes this a compelling match-up in 2012, not just because of the names on the jerseys.
There's a reason that Syracuse-Virginia is one of the highlights of the season; the match-up rarely fails to live up to expections. Sunday should be party time as well (if recent meetings are any indication, of course). Are you wetting your pants in anticipation?
Just once I'd like to see Glaude finish a post without asking if you've got wet britches on. Fetishist.
So far on the year, Virginia is 4-0 with wins over No. 19 Drexel (9-8), VMI (19-5), Stony Brook (12-5) and Mount St. Mary's (17-5). While they've won most of those games handily, they're not doing themselves any favors with tough starts:
Virginia allowed both VMI and Stony Brook to gain early first-quarter leads, has converted just 5-of-12 extra man opportunities, and fumbled a number of ground balls. With the quality of competition ramping up this weekend, the Cavaliers know they need to curtail their mistakes to continue winning.
That's something both teams have fallen victim to this season and chances are whichever one snaps out of it will win.
It's the fifth-straight season both teams enter the match-up undefeated. The aggregate total of goal in all those games 356-355 Syracuse. All six meetings since 2008 have been decided by three goals or less. And with a win, the Orange could tie the all-time series at 14-14. It's arguably the best rivalry in the game. Be watching at 4:00 p.m. EST on ESPN this Sunday, won't you?
Get caught up with some lax links and videos below...
- Syracuse lacrosse team is likely to stick with goalie rotation Sunday at No. 1 Virginia...Dave Rahme
- Maltz fitting into role on Syracuse attack unit as replacement for Keogh...Daily Orange
- Syracuse University lacrosse team's new starting crease attackman knows his role...Dave Rahme
- Q&A with ESPN's Paul Carcaterra...Baltimore Sun
- Orange men's lacrosse hoping to prove itself at top-ranked Virginia...YNN
- Clash of the Titans: What’s At Stake When #3 Syracuse Travels to #1 Virginia...OrangeFizz
Krista D'Amore, Mark Sell and Gabe Altieri take a look at SU's third game of the season at Virginia. Find out how the Orange will do against the defending national champions. Lacrosse beat reporter Chip Angeles talked with the players to hear their thoughts on this rivalry matchup. It's all on CC's lacrosse webisode.
The Orange and Cavaliers always play close games. In fact the last five matchups have been decided by a total of six goals, with two of those games being decided in Overtime. This weekend the two teams will renew their stories rivalry in Charlottesville. CitrusTV's Chip Angeles spoke to SU players, who said to throw out the ranking whenever these two teams faceoff.