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Gallery: Scenes from SU’s quarterfinals triumph over Princeton

Syracuse celebrates on the field after it defeated No. 3 seed Princeton 19-18 Saturday in Hempstead, New York. The victory clinched the Orange’s first Final Four berth since 2013, when it finished as the runner-up.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

Syracuse celebrates on the field after it defeated No. 3 seed Princeton 19-18 Saturday in Hempstead, New York. The victory clinched the Orange’s first Final Four berth since 2013, when it finished as the runner-up.

Vincent Bolognino (No. 2) waves his arms in the air in celebration while Jake Spallina (No. 1) hugs a teammate after Syracuse’s defeat of Princeton. SU’s last 12 years included four NCAA Quarterfinal exits and four first-round knockouts, but its victory Saturday ended that drought.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

Vincent Bolognino (No. 2) waves his arms in the air in celebration while Jake Spallina (No. 1) hugs a teammate after Syracuse’s defeat of Princeton. SU’s last 12 years included four NCAA Quarterfinal exits and four first-round knockouts, but its victory Saturday ended that drought.

Faceoff specialist John Mullen celebrates with attack Joey Spallina after Mullen rifled a shot past Princeton goalie Ryan Croddick to make it 3-2 in the first. Mullen struggled against Princeton’s Andrew McMeekin Saturday, going 16-of-33 on faceoffs.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

Faceoff specialist John Mullen celebrates with attack Joey Spallina after Mullen rifled a shot past Princeton goalie Ryan Croddick to make it 3-2 in the first. Mullen struggled against Princeton’s Andrew McMeekin Saturday, going 16-of-33 on faceoffs.

While enduring a check to the shoulder by a Princeton player, Syracuse’s Sam English carries the ball downfield in his stick. Against his former team, English punished the Tigers for two goals and one assist.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

While enduring a check to the shoulder by a Princeton player, Syracuse’s Sam English carries the ball downfield in his stick. Against his former team, English punished the Tigers for two goals and one assist.

Syracuse attack Luke Rhoa crouches low to the ground to dodge a hit from a Princeton defender. After a tied-for-career-high four goals to down Harvard in the NCAA Tournament first round, Rhoa was quieted Saturday, recording zero points on six shots.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

Syracuse attack Luke Rhoa crouches low to the ground to dodge a hit from a Princeton defender. After a tied-for-career-high four goals to down Harvard in the NCAA Tournament first round, Rhoa was quieted Saturday, recording zero points on six shots.

Princeton’s Colin Burns wraps his left arm around fellow attack Peter Buonanno after a Tigers’ score. While Syracuse largely kept Princeton leading scorer and Tewaaraton finalist Coulter Mackesy in check, Buonanno ran wild with six points Saturday.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

Princeton’s Colin Burns wraps his left arm around fellow attack Peter Buonanno after a Tigers’ score. While Syracuse largely kept Princeton leading scorer and Tewaaraton finalist Coulter Mackesy in check, Buonanno ran wild with six points Saturday.

In a stretch of open field, Syracuse midfielder Michael Leo sprints to his left with the ball cradled in his stick. Leo, who netted three goals, was one of five SU players to score three or more points against the Tigers.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

In a stretch of open field, Syracuse midfielder Michael Leo sprints to his left with the ball cradled in his stick. Leo, who netted three goals, was one of five SU players to score three or more points against the Tigers.

Princeton attack Colin Burns (No. 0) jumps in excitement while his teammate Chad Palumbo lets out a defiant yell following a score. The back-and-forth affair featured 37 goals, the most in an NCAA Quarterfinal game ever that didn’t go to overtime.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

Princeton attack Colin Burns (No. 0) jumps in excitement while his teammate Chad Palumbo lets out a defiant yell following a score. The back-and-forth affair featured 37 goals, the most in an NCAA Quarterfinal game ever that didn’t go to overtime.

While returning to his homeland of Long Island, Joey Spallina deals with constant pressure from Princeton defender Jack Stahl. After Spallina scored three goals in the first half, the Tigers often had defenders stick close to him, allowing the junior to rack up four second-half assists.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

While returning to his homeland of Long Island, Joey Spallina deals with constant pressure from Princeton defender Jack Stahl. After Spallina scored three goals in the first half, the Tigers often had defenders stick close to him, allowing the junior to rack up four second-half assists.

As Luke Rhoa sets a screen on a Princeton defender, Owen Hiltz slips free, looking for a scoring chance. For the second straight game after his overtime clincher versus Harvard, Hiltz delivered the game-winning goal, this time a strike with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

As Luke Rhoa sets a screen on a Princeton defender, Owen Hiltz slips free, looking for a scoring chance. For the second straight game after his overtime clincher versus Harvard, Hiltz delivered the game-winning goal, this time a strike with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter.

Similar to Princeton’s tight defense on Spallina, Sam English checks Princeton attack Nick Kabiri hard with his stick. The Orange held Kabiri to only one goal after the senior entered with 58 points this season.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

Similar to Princeton’s tight defense on Spallina, Sam English checks Princeton attack Nick Kabiri hard with his stick. The Orange held Kabiri to only one goal after the senior entered with 58 points this season.

With plenty of open space in front of him, Luke Rhoa rips a shot from deep. Syracuse made its offensive possessions count with 51 shots to Princeton’s 42 despite the Tigers’ advantage at the faceoff X.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

With plenty of open space in front of him, Luke Rhoa rips a shot from deep. Syracuse made its offensive possessions count with 51 shots to Princeton’s 42 despite the Tigers’ advantage at the faceoff X.

Owen Hiltz (No. 77) screams at the top of his lungs after scoring a goal, while teammates Finn Thomson (No. 23) and Michael Leo (No. 7) rush to greet him. Hiltz, who entered with a team-leading 42 goals, contributed another three Saturday.

Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer

Owen Hiltz (No. 77) screams at the top of his lungs after scoring a goal, while teammates Finn Thomson (No. 23) and Michael Leo (No. 7) rush to greet him. Hiltz, who entered with a team-leading 42 goals, contributed another three Saturday.