Co-captains Billy Dwan III (fifth from the left) and Finn Thomson (fourth from the right) pose for a Commencement photo with the members of the Class of 2026. (Photo courtesy of Syracuse Athletics)
Caps, Gowns and Postseason Success for Men’s Lacrosse Seniors
For Syracuse University’s seniors, Commencement is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, a moment to celebrate earning their degrees.
But for the 10 seniors on the men’s lacrosse team, while the day was joyous, it was not a time for relaxing. They had to prepare for their next assignment: taking on Yale University in the first round of the NCAA Division I tournament.
In a seesaw contest featuring eight ties and five lead changes, it wasn’t until senior Jimmy McCool ’26 came up with two crucial saves with 16 seconds left to seal a 16-15 victory that senior co-captains Finn Thomson ’26 and Billy Dwan III ’26 could exhale and celebrate on the turf field inside the JMA Wireless Dome.
Thomson, an attacker, scored three goals and added a pair of assists, and Dwan, a defenseman, scooped up five groundballs and caused a turnover to help lift the Orange into the quarterfinals for the third straight season.
Among the highlights of Commencement weekend: each senior had their graduation photos taken, wearing their cap and gown over their jerseys.
“I felt excitement and happiness, but also a feeling of sadness,” says Thomson, who earned a communication and rhetorical studies degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “The best four years of my life are coming to a close. Having my parents [Amanda and Tim] in the building made it more emotional. My mom has now seen her youngest child graduate. I felt so many emotions when I was sitting on the Dome turf with my cap and gown on.”
“It was a moment of reflection and gratitude for the great people and memories we’ve made at this place,” says Dwan, who also earned a communication and rhetorical studies degree.
Thomson and Dwan spoke with SU Today about the significance of graduating and winning an NCAA postseason game on the same day.
What were you more nervous about, Commencement or the first-round NCAA game?
Finn Thomson: I was more nervous about the game than graduation, because graduation is a celebration whereas the game’s outcome is out of my control. I knew I was going to graduate because I put the work in, but the game had yet to be played.
Billy Dwan III: For me, the playoff game where the season could have potentially ended was a more worrisome experience. Although graduation is a nerve-wracking time, I personally didn’t feel I graduated until our season was over.
How special is it to graduate in the morning and then kick off the quest for a championship in the afternoon?
Dwan: It hit me just how special of a day graduation would be during Selection Sunday the week before. We didn’t know whether we would be playing on Saturday or Sunday for the first round. When the bracket came out and we saw we were playing on the same day as graduation, it put everything into perspective. It’s a special experience.
Thomson: When I found out [Commencement] was the same weekend as our game against Yale, I was excited. There’s so much anticipation leading up to the day, and both events are about your hard work paying off. It was overwhelming, knowing that everything you’ve put into your classes and the team is coming to an end, but it was also a super fun day. Not everyone gets to experience graduation from that perspective.
What would it mean to you to guide this storied men’s lacrosse team to a national championship during your senior year?
Dwan: Everything this place has given me, from an education to the relationships I have built, will last a lifetime. Having that storybook ending for my senior year, going out the right way and winning a national championship would mean the world.
Thomson: Guiding this team to a national championship in my senior year would mean everything to me. Leaving this program in a better place than you found it is always the goal, and winning a national championship would do exactly that. Raising that trophy is always at the back of our minds. We know what it takes and we’re going to do everything we can to get there.
After the win over Yale, Syracuse (13-5) defeated North Carolina 13-11 in the quarterfinals to advance into Championship Weekend. The Orange will face Notre Dame (12-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia. Fans can watch the game, listen to the broadcast and follow the action through the live stats.
If Syracuse wins, the Orange will play for the national championship at 1 p.m. on Monday.
