Duke Men’s Lacrosse Falls 9-8 to Syracuse in Heartbreaking ACC Tournament Championship Game, Ending Their Title Hopes
In a thrilling, back-and-forth battle, the Duke Blue Devils men’s lacrosse team suffered a heartbreaking 9-8 defeat at the hands of the Syracuse Orange in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament Championship Game. The loss came in front of a raucous home crowd at Koskinen Stadium, where the Blue Devils had hoped to add another conference title to their storied program history.
With both teams coming into the game riding high off impressive semifinal victories, the atmosphere was electric from the start. The ACC Tournament has always been a high-stakes affair, and the championship game lived up to its billing, as it featured two teams with plenty of history and talent.
Duke entered the game as the top seed, having finished the regular season with an 11-2 record, while Syracuse, the No. 2 seed, had put together a strong run, overcoming injuries and adversity to reach the final. The Blue Devils boasted a high-powered offense, led by attackman Brennan O’Neill, who had been nothing short of sensational throughout the season. However, the Orange had their own dynamic offensive players, including attackman Owen Hiltz and midfielder Tucker Dordevic, who could change the course of a game in an instant.
The game’s first quarter was a tightly contested affair, with both teams playing sound defense while also trying to assert themselves offensively. Duke struck first, as O’Neill found the back of the net with just over two minutes remaining in the opening period. Syracuse responded quickly, with Dordevic scoring a stunning goal from a tough angle to knot the game at 1-1. The Orange defense was physical and aggressive, and their goalie, Will Mark, was on his game early, making several key saves to keep his team in the hunt.
The second quarter saw the pace pick up as both teams began to find their rhythm. Duke’s attack was firing on all cylinders, and they took a 3-1 lead midway through the quarter following a highlight-reel goal from Michael Sowers, who finished a fast-break opportunity with precision. But Syracuse wouldn’t go away. Their offense began to click, with Hiltz and Dordevic combining for two goals in the span of just over a minute, tying the game at 3-3. With momentum on their side, the Orange took their first lead of the game when Hiltz scored again, giving Syracuse a 4-3 advantage heading into halftime.
The second half was where the game truly became a battle of wills. Duke came out with urgency in the third quarter, determined to reclaim control of the game. The Blue Devils’ defense, anchored by standout long-stick midfielder Justin Anderson, stepped up when needed, causing several turnovers and getting their offense back into scoring position. O’Neill, the team’s star player, continued to assert himself, scoring a quick goal to tie the game at 4-4. A few minutes later, Sowers found attackman Dyson Williams for a goal, and the Blue Devils went up 5-4. It looked as if Duke might pull away, but Syracuse refused to relent.
In what would become a key moment in the game, the Orange responded with back-to-back goals. First, Dordevic found the back of the net on a man-up opportunity, and then Hiltz scored off a beautiful pass from midfielder Joey Spallina to give Syracuse a 6-5 lead. As the third quarter wound down, Duke showed signs of frustration, unable to get the stops they needed to keep pace with Syracuse’s offensive attack.
The final period was a nail-biter. Duke and Syracuse traded goals in the opening minutes, with O’Neill scoring his second of the game to tie it at 6-6. But Syracuse answered quickly, with Hiltz finishing off a fast-break opportunity to give the Orange a 7-6 lead. The Blue Devils were in familiar territory: they had been in tight games all season, but this one felt different. With the championship on the line, the stakes were at their highest, and every possession mattered.
As the game entered the final five minutes, Duke found themselves down by two goals. A goal from Williams brought them within one, and the Blue Devils had a golden opportunity to tie the game with just under a minute remaining. They managed to get a quality shot off, but Mark came up with a massive save to preserve the lead for Syracuse. After another brief possession for Duke, the Orange were able to run down the clock and seal the victory, sending their bench into a frenzy.
Duke’s head coach, John Danowski, expressed disappointment after the loss but credited his team for their effort and resilience throughout the tournament. “Our guys played hard. They gave everything they had,” Danowski said. “Syracuse is a great team, and they came up with some big plays when they needed them. It’s a tough loss, but we’ll regroup and get ready for what’s next.”
While Duke’s hopes for an ACC Tournament title were dashed, the team will look ahead to the NCAA Tournament with renewed focus. The Blue Devils have one of the most talented rosters in the country, and with O’Neill, Sowers, and other key contributors, they remain a dangerous team heading into the postseason.
Syracuse, on the other hand, was elated by their victory, marking their first ACC Tournament title since 2015. The Orange’s win was a testament to their resilience, particularly after a tough regular season that saw them fight through injuries and inconsistent play. Coach Gary Gait, in his first year as Syracuse’s head coach, could not have been prouder of his team’s performance.
“I’m so proud of these guys. They’ve been through a lot this season, and to come out here and win this game says a lot about their character,” Gait said. “This was a big one for us, but we know there’s still more work to be done. We’ll enjoy this win, but we’ll be focused on the bigger picture as we head into the NCAA Tournament.”
Looking ahead, both teams know that the road to the national championship will be a grueling one. For Duke, the sting of this loss will likely fuel their desire to redeem themselves on the national stage. For Syracuse, the ACC Tournament title has given them a boost of confidence, and they will look to carry that momentum forward as they aim for an even bigger prize.
The 9-8 loss to Syracuse was a bitter pill for Duke, but it was also a reminder of just how competitive and unpredictable college lacrosse can be. Every game is a battle, and no lead is ever truly safe until the final whistle. The Blue Devils will take this loss and learn from it, using it as motivation to achieve their ultimate goal of a national championship. As for Syracuse, the win was a crowning achievement, but the season is far from over — their eyes are now set on the bigger prize.
In the end, the 2025 ACC Tournament Championship was another example of the incredible parity and talent within college lacrosse, a sport where anything can happen on any given day. Both Duke and Syracuse will continue to be key contenders in the postseason, but only one team could leave with the trophy on this day.
