Charlotte, NC — On Sunday at American Legion Memorial Stadium, the No. 12 Syracuse Orange men’s lacrosse team etched their name back into the Atlantic Coast Conference history books, grinding out a 9-8 victory over the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils to claim the 2025 ACC Tournament Championship. This was no ordinary win—it was a redemption, a revival, and a testament to a team that refused to let a late-season slide define them. For Syracuse, a program synonymous with lacrosse excellence, this was their first ACC title since 2016.
The Orange (11-5, 2-2 ACC) entered Charlotte on the NCAA Tournament bubble, reeling from three straight losses to Cornell, Duke, and North Carolina. But in the Queen City, they found their spark, first stunning top-seeded Notre Dame 14-12 on Friday and then outlasting Duke in a defensive slugfest that showcased their heart and hustle. This victory, Syracuse’s third ACC Tournament crown and first under head coach Gary Gait, likely secures a top-eight NCAA Tournament seed and a first-round home game at the JMA Wireless Dome.
A Defensive Masterclass and a Goalkeeper’s Heroics
This was not a game for the faint of heart. Both teams turned the championship into a gritty, low-scoring affair where every possession felt like a heavyweight bout. Syracuse’s defense, led by graduate student Billy Dwan III and senior Nick Caccamo, was nothing short of suffocating, holding Duke (12-5, 2-2 ACC) to eight goals—four below their season average—and forcing 16 turnovers. The Orange dominated ground balls 37-20, a stat that underscored their relentless effort.
At the heart of Syracuse’s triumph was ACC Goalie of the Year Jimmy McCool, who cemented his legacy with a 10-save performance that earned him the ACC Tournament MVP award. His five saves in the second quarter, including a sprawling stop on Duke’s Andrew McAdorey, preserved a 5-3 halftime lead during a 17:43 stretch where the Blue Devils managed just one goal. McCool’s 30 saves across wins over Notre Dame and Duke were the backbone of Syracuse’s championship run.
Mullen’s Faceoff Dominance and a Balanced Attack
Faceoff specialist John Mullen was the unsung hero, winning 13-of-17 draws, including seven straight in the clutch to close out the game. His 14-6 edge over Duke’s Jake Naso at the X gave Syracuse critical possessions, eight of which directly led to goals across their tournament wins. Mullen’s ground ball scoops—part of Syracuse’s 37-20 advantage—tilted the field and set the tone for a game where possession was gold.
Offensively, Syracuse leaned on balance rather than star power. Attack Owen Hiltz, Finn Thomson, and Payton Anderson each scored two goals, while Joey Spallina (one goal, two assists) and Michael Leo (one goal, two assists) orchestrated the attack with three points apiece. Hiltz opened the scoring just 49 seconds in, his 61st consecutive game with a point breaking a school record set by John Zulberti (1986-1990). Thomson’s behind-the-back beauty in the second quarter, a highlight-reel strike off a Leo feed, pushed Syracuse’s lead to 5-2.
A Game of Grit and a Heart-Stopping Finish
The game was a tale of defensive stands and timely strikes. After Hiltz’s opener, Duke answered with goals from Benn Johnston and Tomas Delgado to take a 2-1 lead. But Syracuse responded with a 4-0 run spanning the first and second quarters, sparked by Spallina’s first goal and capped by Thomson’s stunner. Duke’s Patrick Jameison, a wall in net with 16 saves, kept the Blue Devils in it, but Syracuse’s man-down unit—led by Riley Figueiras—killed off key Duke man-up chances, including a critical 6-on-4 in the third.
The fourth quarter was pure drama. Duke’s Liam Kershis and Max Sloat scored to cut Syracuse’s 9-6 lead to 9-8 with 1:01 remaining, sending Orange hearts racing. Hiltz’s turnover with 22 seconds left gave Duke one final chance, but Eric Malever’s potential game-tying shot from close range sailed wide as the buzzer sounded. The Syracuse sideline erupted, players mobbing McCool in a sea of orange.
Duke’s Fight and a Look Ahead
Duke, fueled by McAdorey, Johnston, and Delgado (two goals each) and Malever’s three assists, fought valiantly but couldn’t overcome Syracuse’s defensive pressure and Mullen’s faceoff mastery. The Blue Devils, who routed North Carolina 14-7 in Friday’s semifinal, will await their NCAA Tournament fate on Sunday night’s selection show (9:30 p.m., ESPNU), likely earning an at-large bid with their 12-5 record.
For Syracuse, the win avenges an 11-7 regular-season loss to Duke on April 19, where Malever torched them for five goals. This time, the Orange held him scoreless, a testament to their defensive game plan. The victory marks Syracuse’s third ACC title game win over Duke (2015, 2016, 2025) and their sixth win against a ranked opponent this season, including four against top-10 teams.
As the Orange celebrated, their focus shifted to the NCAA Tournament. With a likely top-eight seed, they’re poised to host a first-round game at the Dome. For a team that stumbled into Charlotte, Syracuse leaves as champions and their sights set on a deeper postseason run.
2025 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Championship
All-Tournament Team
Jimmy McCool, Syracuse (MVP)
Billy Dwan III, Syracuse
Riley Figueiras, Syracuse
Owen Hiltz, Syracuse
John Mullen, Syracuse
Joey Spallina, Syracuse
Finn Thomson, Syracuse
Tomas Delgado, Duke
Patrick Jameison, Duke
Charlie Johnson, Duke
Andrew McAdorey, Duke
2025 ACC Men’s Lacrosse Championship
American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
Friday, May 2 – Semifinals
No. 4 Syracuse 14, No. 1 Notre Dame 12
No. 3 Duke 14, No. 2 North Carolina 7
Sunday, May 4 – Championship
No. 4 Syracuse 9, No. 3 Duke 8