Syracuse University announced on April 8 that its fifth-ranked men’s lacrosse team will face No. 13 Virginia on Saturday, April 11, at the JMA Wireless Dome. The game is set for a 4 p.m. start and will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
The matchup is significant as it coincides with Syracuse’s Ring of Honor and Alumni Weekend. At halftime, legendary head coach John Desko will be inducted as the tenth member of the Ring of Honor, joining other notable figures from Syracuse athletics history.
Syracuse enters the contest with a record of nine wins and three losses (1-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play), while Virginia holds a seven-win, four-loss record (2-0 ACC). The Orange are looking to recover after a recent defeat against North Carolina but have shown strong teamwork throughout the season. The team has consistently demonstrated unselfish play, with multiple players contributing to scoring efforts across positions. In recent games, at least half of Syracuse’s goals have been assisted, highlighting their collaborative approach.
Saturday’s event is part of a tripleheader at the Dome: women’s lacrosse plays Notre Dame at noon, followed by the men’s game against Virginia at 4 p.m., and culminating with ‘Cuse football’s Spring Game after lacrosse concludes. This marks the third time this season that Syracuse faces an opponent ranked thirteenth in national polls; they split results in previous such matchups.
Desko’s induction into the Ring of Honor recognizes his decades-long impact on Syracuse lacrosse—as student-athlete beginning in 1975 through his retirement as head coach in 2021—having been involved in all eleven NCAA Division I National Championships for Syracuse and coaching hundreds of All-Americans during his tenure.
A win Saturday would give Syracuse its eighth top-20 victory this year and improve their all-time series lead over Virginia to 23-21.
