Syracuse goalie Jimmy McCool added to Tewaaraton Watch List
McCool leads the ACC in save percentage and saves per game with five regular season contests left. Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor
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Syracuse men’s lacrosse goalie Jimmy McCool has been added to the Tewaaraton Award Watchlist, the foundation announced Thursday. The award is given to the best men’s and women’s player in the country each year. McCool joins fellow SU players Joey Spallina, Michael Leo, John Mullen, Billy Dwan III and Riley Figueiras on the watch list.
McCool has been Syracuse’s defensive anchor in 2026. The redshirt junior leads the Atlantic Coast Conference with 57% save percentage, an increase from his 53% save-rate in 2025. He’s only finished below 50% twice this season, against Air Force and Denver, both of which were SU wins. McCool also has the most saves per game in the conference with 12.2, while no other goalie is in double digits.
In SU’s 18-12 win over Georgetown last weekend, McCool tied his season-high with 17 saves. It was his ninth game this season with at least 10 saves.
“Jimmy’s playing with a lot of confidence, so we’re looking for him to be Jimmy and make the saves, steal some and give us more possessions,” SU head coach Gary Gait said during his weekly media availability Thursday.
The Boston, Massachusetts, native is establishing himself as one of the best goalies in the country. McCool was impressive last season, earning ACC Goalie of the Year despite it being his first year as Syracuse’s starter. McCool had to wait behind Will Mark during his first two years with the program.
Opportunities were few and far between. He replaced Mark in the 2024 ACC Tournament Semifinal versus Duke, but other than that, he remained on the sideline. With Mark gone, McCool beat out Michael Ippoliti last offseason for Syracuse’s starting job.
Outside of getting benched versus Harvard in February 2025, McCool has been as steady as can be for Syracuse. As the Orange head into ACC play, McCool will be key to their success.
“I think he’s just more relaxed and watching the ball more,” Gait said. “I think when Jimmy gets a little jumpy is when he gets a little inconsistent, and he’s dialed in, good, balance focus, and he’s got his hands ready to make some quick saves.”
