Syracuse played to a two-goal victory over North Carolina during the men’s college lacrosse tournament quarterfinals on Saturday. However, the Orange was wrongfully credited with a goal that absolutely should not have counted at a crucial point in the game.
Although it was an incredible effort, their star defender very clearly stepped out of bounds.
I do not know how the college lacrosse referees missed the call. I also do not understand why the Tar Heels did not challenge the play.
Syracuse defeated UNC.
Saturday was almost the the inverse of a matchup between these two teams during the ACC Tournament. Syracuse lost to UNC by a final score of 12-10 on May 1. The Orange went on to receive the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels earned the No. 3 seed.
Syracuse barely escaped Yale in the first round. North Carolina dominated Albany.
That set up a rematch. Rather, a rematch of the rematch.
The Tar Heels beat the Orange during the regular season and during the conference tournament. The Orange finally got one back on the Tar Heels when it mattered the most.
Syracuse came back from a four-goal deficit during the second quarter to defeat UNC by a final score of 13-11 on Saturday. The Orange advanced to the Final Four. The Tar Heels’ season is now over.
However, the goal differential should’ve been at least one goal closer than it was. A massive play during the fourth quarter completely swung the momentum in favor of the lower seed.
College lacrosse officials missed an out-of-bounds call.
This specific officiating blunder took place with just under eight minutes remaining. The score was tied at 10.
Syracuse long pole Billy Dwan, a senior captain and All-ACC honoree, took the ball up the sideline with two UNC defenders in close pursuit. One of them made contact right before the midfield line, which knocked him off balance. The defenseman somehow managed to keep his feet long enough to pass the ball back into the field of play to one of his nearby teammates. The Orange scored just moments later.
It was an incredible game-changing sequence. Dwan is the absolute man.
ABSURD.
— Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX) May 16, 2026
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However, his foot stepped on the boundary before he released the ball from the pocket. He was out of bounds. The play should’ve been called dead. Syracuse would not have been able to score.
Take a look at the replay:
Billy Dwan was 100% out of bounds on this play OMG 🤯 pic.twitter.com/5YA8dFgdi9
— James Hogan V (@james_hoganv) May 16, 2026
I don’t know how the officials did not see his foot hit the paint in real time but it was a bang-bang play. I am more surprised that the goal was not challenged by UNC.
One single play does not define the outcome of a four-quarter college lacrosse game. Especially when the victor goes on to win by two goals. And yet, it was such a crucial moment in the game that such a brutal missed call had a direct impact on the final score. Tough break for the Tar Heels.