By David Ginsburg
The Associated Press

BALTIMORE - Syracuse has the opportunity to add another trinket to an overflowing trophy case when it faces Navy in the NCAA lacrosse title game Monday.

Playing in the finals for the fifth time in six years, the Orange will be vying for their ninth national championship - the third in five years. It's the closest thing to a dynasty that this sport has seen, and Syracuse wouldn't have it any other way.

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Navy's incentive has nothing to do with extending a storied lacrosse tradition. The Midshipmen have never won the title, and will be playing in the championship game for only the second time.

They will not go at it alone.

When Navy's Chris Pieczonka crouches down for the opening faceoff Monday afternoon, the backing he and his teammates receive will extend well beyond the partisan crowd at M&T Bank Stadium.

"We know the whole world is watching us," senior Joe Bossi said. "From guys in Iraq to guys in Nigeria. Coach (Richie Meade) gets so many e-mails from guys around the world, and so many lacrosse alumni would love for us to win the national championship. For us to do that would be awesome."

Navy (15-2) advanced by defeating Princeton 8-7 Saturday. The Midshipmen are the second-seed in the tournament and Syracuse is No. 4, but there's little doubt that the Orange (14-2) are the favorite.

But not the fan favorite.

Navy will have tens of thousands of fans in the seats as it vies for the school's first NCAA title since the men's soccer team won it all in 1964. The Final Four is supposed to be at a neutral site, but Annapolis-based Navy clearly benefited from the crowd support in its semifinal game against Princeton.

"It's very gratifying to be in this atmosphere and have the opportunity to see our kids so excited," Meade said.

Syracuse advanced by upsetting top-seeded Johns Hopkins 15-9. It was a stunning turnaround for the Orange, who had lost their previous two games against the Blue Jays by a combined 36-13 score.

Coach John Desko, who devised an excellent game plan for Hopkins, wasn't 20 minutes removed from the victory before he starting thinking about the best way to put away Navy.

Step one: Win the faceoffs. Pieczonka won 15 of 19 against Princeton, one big reason why the Tigers were outshot 32-22.

"They did a great job in faceoffs, and they've got some people really stepping up offensively," Desko said. "They don't mind playing any tempo that they're given. I'm sure there are going to be a lot of adjustments during the game."

If the Midshipmen have their way, the Orange will have to wait at least another year before claiming yet another national title.

"We're here," Navy goalie Matt Russell said, "because we're good. Everyone is confident we're going to win."

Div II championship: LeMoyne 11, Limestone 10, 2OT

BALTIMORE - Brandon Spillett scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime to give LeMoyne its first national championship in any sport with an 11-10 victory over Limestone on Sunday.

Spillett drove in from the right side, dove to the front of the goal and sneaked a short shot past the goalkeeper to end the first double-overtime game in the 20-year history of the Division II national championship.

Spillett, who had a career-high seven goals, also tied it with two seconds remaining in regulation. His seven goals were one shy of the Division II championship game record, and he earned the Most Outstanding Player honor.

Goalie Jared Corcoran equaled a career-high with 15 saves for LeMoyne (16-0) in its first appearance in the Division II final.

Jason Randolph and Roger Vyse each scored three goals for Limestone (15-2), which was runner-up for the second straight season and third time overall.

Randolph scored unassisted to give Limestone a 10-9 lead with 1:11 remaining in regulation. However, the two-time champion Saints were whistled for an excessive celebration penalty that gave LeMoyne possession of the ball and led to the tying goal that forced overtime.

Div III championship: Salisbury 13, Nazareth 9

BALTIMORE - Andy Arnold scored four goals and Salisbury captured its fifth NCAA Division III lacrosse national championship with a 13-9 win over Nazareth on Sunday.

Scott Simmons had three goals and two assists for Salisbury (20-0), which set a single-season school record for victories. Justin Smith added two goals and an assist for the Sea Gulls, who completed the third unbeaten campaign in program history.

Simmons and Arnold both scored during a 3-0 run that put Salisbury up 12-8 with 5:17 left.

Bryan Bradford came off the bench to win nine of 10 faceoffs for Salisbury, which outshot Nazareth 33-18 and held a 53-35 advantage on ground balls.

Goalkeeper Alex Civalier kept Nazareth in contention by making 20 saves and was named Most Outstanding Player. T.J. Rogers had two goals and an assist for the Golden Flyers (16-3), who were seeking their fourth NCAA title.