Trimboli Scores the Game Winner Again as Syracuse Tops Duke 15-14

By Jonah Karp

Durham, NC—Flip the calendar back 364 days, and you’ll find an 18-year-old living his dream. In his first collegiate start, Jamie Trimboli netted a game winning goal in overtime against Duke for the team he always wanted to play for…Syracuse.

Nearly a year later, the now-sophomore did it again. Trimboli scored with 1:14 left in regulation to seal a 15-14 No. 15 Syracuse (4-3, 2-0) victory over No. 3 Duke (8-2, 0-1).

“We’re just playing as fast and as hard as we can, and things happen,” said Trimboli. “I’m glad it did. I’m glad we got the win. It’s nice to be able to put it in net and seal the win.”

In a game of runs, Syracuse led for most of the game. Peter Dearth and Trimboli got the ball rolling for the Orange offense to give SU an early 2-0 lead. After that, the chess match began. Nakeie Montgomery put the Blue Devils on the board, and the two teams traded goals before the first quarter ended. 

With the Orange leading 4-3, Joey Manown took advantage of a man-up opportunity to tie the game with just 45 seconds gone by. Each team would tack on three apiece to send the game to halftime knotted up at seven.

Out of the locker room, the seesaw tempo turned into a pendulous momentum contest. Syracuse came out firing with Brendan Curry, Brendan Bomberry and Stephen Rehfuss each finding the back of the net to give the Orange a 10-7 lead.

But just when it seemed like Syracuse had control, Duke began a 5-1 run to take a 12-11 advantage into the final period.

“We wanted to keep going,” Bomberry said. “I think we were right where we wanted to be going into the fourth quarter. We wanted to control possessions and wear them down a little.”

Brad Smith tacked on another for the Blue Devils six minutes into the fourth quarter. But a fire was lit under Syracuse as the rain started to come down. Five minutes later, Nate Solomon and Bomberry scored 45 seconds apart from each other to tie the game at 13. 

Nick Martin won the ensuing faceoff to give possession back to SU, and the Orange was determined to not let one slip away. Bomberry stuck his game best fourth goal of the game to give Syracuse a 14-13 lead with 2:37 remaining.

Joe Robertson tied it up 26 seconds later, but Jamie Trimboli had the final word.

Rehfuss posted a team-high five points, scoring three goals and adding two assists. Curry had a career high three points on two goals and one assist. 

“We just competed for 60 minutes today,” said Coach Desko. “We were able to get some good possessions and get some good stops defensively. I think some of the younger guys grew up.”

Despite coming away victorious, Syracuse had little answers for the faceoff X. Desko used four different FOGOs while allowing Duke to win 20-of-32 faceoffs.

The Orange continues its gauntlet of a schedule, but the team returns home for the next contest. Syracuse hosts No. 4 Notre Dame in the Carrier Dome next Saturday at 5 p.m.