AMHERST, Mass. – It had to happen sooner or later. With strong lacrosse programs sprouting nationwide, Syracuse’s 22-season final four streak had to end at some point. Maybe the only surprise is that it came to long-time rival Massachusetts on the back of sophomore goalie Efosa Guobadia in his second-career start.

Senior goalie Bill Schell, who broke his right hand in practice last week, was replaced in the starting lineup by Guobadia for the ECAC title game against Rutgers on May 7. UMass coach Greg Cannella decided to stay with him in UMass’ first-round NCAA Tournament game with Syracuse on Sunday at Garber Field.

But while Guobadia kept his team ahead for three and a half quarters, ultimately Schell’s substitute play in the fourth boosted the Minutemen to a 16-15 win. The first-round loss for SU, its first since 1981, ended what had simply become ‘the streak.’

‘I knew it was gonna hurt (Schell), being the senior and all, if I didn’t play him,’ Cannella said. ‘I just went with my instincts. We knew Billy would be ready if we needed him.’

UMass (13-2, 5-1 ECAC) had a four-goal lead heading into the fourth quarter, but SU junior Greg Rommel cut the score to 15-14 with 4:06 remaining. Cannella inserted Schell into the game immediately, much to the delight of the UMass crowd.

Schell, who had his hand in a cast up to his elbow earlier in the week, ran onto the field with a slimmer version. He trimmed the cast to his wrist in preparation for the game, unsure if it fit NCAA regulations. He also amended his leather protective glove to allow a snug fit.

‘My hand feels good,’ Schell said after the game. ‘I prepared all week as if I was going to play. I just got an opportunity and I took it.’

SU junior Brett Bucktooth netted his fifth goal of the game on Schell’s first save attempt a minute later. It was the first time the game was tied since 6:01 of the first quarter.

SU’s Danny Brennan gained possession on the ensuing faceoff, moving the ball downfield after a UMass foul. Again Schell was tested, this time recording his first save since SU (7-6) faced UMass on April 30.

With 1:12 left in the game, UMass’ Sean Morris scored the game-winner in front of SU goalie Jay Pfeifer as two defenders hung over him.

‘Thank all the news people for counting us out,’ Morris said. ‘We took it real personal. Everyone kept saying Hopkins-Syracuse is gonna be a great matchup. We got a pretty level-headed group of guys.’

UMass gained possession on the final faceoff and Cannella called a timeout with 42 seconds remaining and again 17 seconds later to calm his team.

On the final possession, speedy attackman Brian Jacovina ran around the perimeter of the SU box as three defenders chased him. Before time expired, he tossed the ball to senior Jeff Zywicki, who launched it straight into the air.

Zywicki, who scored the game-winner against the Orange on April 30 in overtime, had six goals Sunday.

‘Everybody on the team got up for this,’ Zywicki said. ‘I knew it was going to come down to overtime or the last couple minutes.’

UMass’ win was its third in three years against SU at Garber Field. The previous two came in overtime. The Minutemen will continue to Baltimore next week to play against Johns Hopkins in the NCAA Quarterfinals.

‘I guess I’ll get to do a little more recruiting,’ Desko said. ‘It’ll be a little weird this Memorial Day weekend not playing, but I plan to go to the final four.’

Published on May 28, 2005 at 12:00 pm