Before Syracuse head coach John Desko could even get the words out, booming claps filled the air.

It was Tuesday afternoon and game day was four days away, but Orange goaltender John Galloway could not hold in his excitement. As Desko spoke about christening the new Meadowlands against an old rival, Galloway walked off to practice with an extra hop in his step and some noise to go with it.

‘I think the guys are excited to play in the new facility and against a team that beat us by four goals last year,’ said Desko, as Galloway’s claps rang in the background during a midweek press conference. ‘We are playing in a professional venue against one of the two teams that beat us, so guys are ready to go.’

This excitement will be on full display when No. 3 Syracuse (7-1, 2-0 Big East) heads down to East Rutherford, N.J., to take on No. 4 Princeton (7-1, 3-0 Ivy League) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the New Meadowlands Stadium. The second Big City Classic will pit two lacrosse powerhouses against each other in dramatic fashion. The stage will be the new stadium the New York Giants and Jets will share when the NFL season kicks off in September.  This is the first athletic event held there.

And to add to the excitement, attack Stephen Keogh said the Orange is looking to get a bit of revenge.

‘It is cool to be part of the first event there,’ Keogh said.  ‘I think we have a chip on our shoulders going into the game because they were one of the guys to beat us last year.  Everyone is looking forward to it.’  

Last season the Tigers handed Syracuse one of its two losses when they beat the Orange 12-8 in front of a regular-season record crowd of 22,308.  Princeton never trailed in the game. Tiger goalie Tyler Fiorito had 15 saves and held Syracuse scoreless for a 14-minute span toward the end of the game.  

Syracuse went on to win nine games in a row and capture the national championship. And midfielder Jovan Miller made sure to thank Princeton for the strong finish.

‘As far as the Princeton thing was concerned last year, we honestly should thank them,’ Miller said. ‘That was a big wake up call for our team. So if anything, I really appreciate them beating us like that.’

But more than just last season, the Syracuse-Princeton rivalry has emerged from decades of lacrosse dominance. The two programs have faced off in four NCAA title games. They have combined to win 16 of the last 22 championships. Both are now ranked in the top five nationally.  

And this year is no different. Though the Tigers are under new leadership for the first time in 23 seasons behind head coach Chris Bates, they have posted tough wins against Johns Hopkins, Hofstra and Penn en route to a 7-1 start.

‘You look at the championship banners in each of the stadiums and Syracuse-Princeton went against each other for a number of years and dominated the championships,’ Desko said. ‘This is a game we try to keep on the schedule and it is going to continue to stay that way.’

The excitement is here to stay, as well. Galloway was not the only player to let his emotions show. Senior defender Matt Tierney is a native of Montclair, N.J., a mere 10 minutes from the Meadowlands. The lifelong Jets fan has made sure to correct his teammates all week, telling them the new stadium is the New Meadowlands Stadium, not Giants Stadium.

Tierney went to games all the time with his dad growing up. Since college he has attended every Jets-Giants preseason game before heading back to school. But this trip to the Meadowlands will be a bit different.

‘I have been going back and forth from the Meadowlands my whole life,’ Tierney said. ‘This will be another great experience at the stadium, but this time I will be a part of the game. I am just glad to be a part of it.’

restern@syr.edu