Syracuse men's lacrosse is heading into NCAA Quarterfinal weekend with a chance for redemption—their third shot at North Carolina this season. After dropping the first two meetings, the Orange are determined to make this one count.

The regular-season matchup wasn't close for long, but Syracuse showed serious improvement in the ACC Tournament. They held a two-goal lead early in the fourth quarter, only to see it slip away due to late penalties and unforced errors. It was a tough loss, but it also revealed exactly what needs to change.

If the Orange want to keep their season alive, discipline is the name of the game. Syracuse has a frustrating habit of being their own worst enemy—sloppy turnovers, unnecessary penalties, and basic mistakes have plagued them all year. Against a team as talented as North Carolina, that simply can't happen. The Tar Heels boast a top-ranked face-off unit, a loaded offense, and a stingy defense. They don't need any help from Syracuse shooting themselves in the foot.

It sounds simple: play clean, smart, and disciplined lacrosse. But when undisciplined play becomes part of your identity, it takes real focus to break the cycle. For Syracuse, that focus starts now.

On the face-off front, the numbers tell a clear story. In the first game, North Carolina dominated the dot, winning 17 of 27 draws. Brady Wambach took all but one for UNC, going 16-of-26, while Syracuse's Johnny Mullen struggled at 7-of-21 and Drew Angelo went 3-of-6. The second meeting was closer—UNC held a 14-12 edge, with Wambach handling every draw for the Tar Heels. If Syracuse can flip that battle, they'll give themselves a real chance.

Game time is set for Saturday, May 16, at 2:30 p.m. in Hempstead, N.Y. For the Orange, it's win or go home. And after two close losses, they know exactly what it takes to finally get over the hump.