Spring Break
The Daily OrangeJamieson, Smith overtime performances propel Syracuse to national title
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 5/25/09, 7:09 PM EST Section: Sports
|
So he dashed across Gillette Stadium, darting through the hashes closer and closer to his pal, Sid Smith. When he finally met up with his fellow countryman from Six Nations, Ontario, the duo embraced: they had won a title for Syracuse - together.
"Before the year started, I knew both of our dreams were to play at Syracuse and play with each other," Jamieson said. "We drive back and forth together, a lot of talks, a lot of moments together, just dreams about this day and talks about this day. So he's the person I wanted to go celebrate with."
In their last collegiate game together, the close friends played pivotal roles in Syracuse's 10-9 overtime victory against Cornell Monday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. Smith picked the ball from Cornell's Ryan Hurley, creating the possession for Syracuse (16-2) that led to Jamieson's game-winning goal just 1:20 into overtime.
"It was awesome," Smith said. "It couldn't have worked out any better for me and him."
For most of the season, it did not seem as if the duo would be able to play together. Smith, a senior, was a defensive stalwart on the field for the Orange, but Jamieson was not academically eligible to play for the Orange. While his friend shined, Jamieson was relegated to a spectator.
During those times, there were moments when Jamieson would stay awake at night, look at the ceiling and ponder what would transpire. He hoped to just make it onto the field, but didn't know what would happen. But he had his family and friends there for him, and they helped him through the tough times - especially Smith.
"He's been just as good as a best friend could be," Jamieson said. "I just leaned on him and he kept me believing and kept me strong."
Jamieson finally found the field against Massachusetts, playing alongside his friend. He played in the four games after UMass heading into the national championship game, the duo's last game together.
Be the first to comment on this story