Minutemen ranked No. 3 in lacrosse standings

UMass beats Syracuse for first time since '81

Jeff Zywicki: Winning goal

n overtime win against reigning champion Syracuse last Saturday pushed the men's lacrosse team to third place in the national rankings released this week by the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.

     The Minutemen (12-1) have the best record in Division I, but still rank behind perennial powers John Hopkins (10-1) and Virginia (10-2).

     The win over Syracuse at Garber Field marked the first time UMass has beaten the Orangemen since 1981, a span of 21 games.

     As 2,362 rain-soaked fans looked on, Jeff Zywicki cinched the victory with a goal at the 1:10 mark in overtime.

     Three Minutemen - Chris Doyle, Chris Fiore and Kevin Leveille - had hat tricks while goalie Bill Schell stopped a season-high 16 shots as Syracuse outshot UMass 45-38.

     The Minutemen continue their run through the nation's top 10 teams on Saturday, traveling to New Jersey to face eighth-ranked Rutgers. A victory will give the Minutemen their second straight ECAC title.