PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- A year after losing the NCAA lacrosse title to Princeton in overtime, Syracuse got a chance to celebrate twice against the defending champions.

The first came six seconds too early Monday, and it gave the Tigers a remote chance to force another overtime on a weekend of incredible comebacks.

	Syracuse rallied early in the second half to win its seventh NCAA championship.

The second was just a sheer celebration that wiped out the agony of last year's Memorial Day.

Michael Powell had four goals and three assists as Syracuse beat the Tigers 13-12 for their second title in three years and seventh overall.

``To send the seniors out, not with tears of sadness, but tears of joy, it's just great,'' said Powell, who had six goals and four assists in being voted the most outstanding player in the Final Four.

Syracuse All America defender John Glatzel hasn't forgotten the tears after Princeton's win in 2001.

``This is a million times better,'' he said. ``Walking off the field last year I couldn't wait to practice in the fall. Summertime started on a really bad note.''

This game ended on a bizarre note after Syracuse midfielder Spencer Wright was pushed over the end line with :06 left in the game, leaving Princeton 80 yards away from a game-tying goal.

A long pass upfield by the Tigers was intercepted, and Syracuse started to celebrate.

However, officials ruled Syracuse made an illegal substitution before the pass and the Orangemen were given a 30-second penalty.

That gave Princeton the ball at midfield. Brad Dumont, whose two late goals twice made it a one-goal game, mishandled the pass from Sean Hartofilis, and there was never a final shot.

Brian Solliday added three goals and an assist, and defender Sol Bliss made two key plays late in the fourth quarter for Syracuse (15-2).

Hartofilis had three goals for Princeton (10-5) which rallied from a 12-7 second-half deficit for an exciting finish to the third straight championship game between the schools, which have won 13 of the last 15 titles.

``We started the season 2-4 and to get this close and lose it's rough,'' Hartofilis said.

Syracuse easily beat the Tigers in 2000; Princeton won in overtime last year.

Mark Pellegrino and Ryan Boyle added two goals apiece for Princeton, which also lost to Syracuse in the regular season.

The title game was the fourth straight for Syracuse, which lost to Virginia in 1999.