Defending champion Syracuse is back in the NCAA lacrosse title game.

The second-seeded Orange defeated third-seeded Duke, 17-7, in a Division I semifinal yesterday at Foxborough, Mass.

Syracuse (15-2) is seeking its 11th national title and will play in tomorrow's final against fifth-seeded Cornell, which stunned top-seeded Virginia, 15-6. Cornell (13-3) won the first NCAA Division I title in 1971 and followed it up with wins in 1976 and 1977.

Syracuse beat Cornell 15-10 earlier this season and the teams met for the NCAA title in 1988, with the Orange winning 13-8.

"I hope we can prepare ourselves for that next juggernaut in Syracuse," Cornell coach Jeff Tambroni said.

Kenny Nims and Patrick Perritt each had four goals for Syracuse yesterday.

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

RECORD NO-HITTERS

Alabama sophomore Kelsi Dunne became the first player to throw back-to-back no-hitters in NCAA postseason play.

Dunne held Jacksonville State hitless for the second straight day in a 9-0 softball victory yesterday at Tuscaloosa, Ala. She led the Crimson Tide to a Super Regional championship and a spot in the Women's College World Series.

The two no-hitters ties the NCAA postseason record. It was Dunne's fourth of the season and gave her a school-record six for her career.

NFL

STEELER'S SON IS WELL

The agent of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison says the player's young son is "doing well" at a Pittsburgh hospital following an attack by a pit bull.

Harrison's agent, William Parise, says 2-year-old James Harrison III was bitten on the thigh after his mother let the dog out of its pen Thursday afternoon. Parise said yesterday he was with the boy at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and the boy was expected to remain there for another day or two.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

DUCK QB TO TRANSFER

Oregon backup quarterback Justin Roper has decided to transfer and has been granted his release.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly said the 6-foot-6, 204-pound Georgia native made the decision after emerging from spring drills behind Ducks starter Jeremiah Masoli. Roper will have two years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility.