The forecast was ugly. Amherst was due for torrential rain, thunder, and high winds, conditions barely suited for going outside, let alone standing in one wet spot for a couple of hours to watch a lacrosse game.

And yet, at least 2,362 people showed up for UMass-Syracuse Saturday, more if you include the students who were allowed in with a flash of their ID, and they were treated to a hard-fought, action-packed affair that ultimately ended with the home team victorious.

Of course, the day didn’t start that way. A look at Garber Field revealed a meager showing just 10 minutes before the opening draw. The big green hill that provided a muddy grandstand for much of the student turnout was nearly empty.

The steel grandstand wasn’t exactly packed either, and at first glance it looked like the audience for UMass-Syracuse XXVIII was going to consist of friends, family, and the diehards standing at midfield brandishing lacrosse sticks.

But as the starting lineups were announced, the masses began to shuffle in, and soon enough there was officially a throng sitting, standing, and sliding at Garber Field.

It didn’t take long to produce a roar that could be heard through Southwest, either.

When Chris Doyle put one home just 52 seconds in, the people were in it, and in it for the long run, with soccer chants featuring Doyle’s name echoing from the diehards. The Minutemen charged ahead, and held an advantage over Syracuse for much of the first half.

“For me, personally, it’s a big deal to get out early,” said junior Jeff Zywicki, who would turn out to be the other bookend on the UMass victory. “I feel like whenever we get a good lead going at the beginning of any game, we work off that, and it gives us confidence throughout the game.”

The weather, which looked like it would hold off at the outset, began to let loose in the first half, and by halftime, the players, field, and over 2,500 faithful in attendance were soaked.

Despite a 10-9 Orangemen lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the fans didn’t lose faith, and got so loud during one UMass rally that Syracuse coach John Desko couldn’t get the referee’s attention to call a timeout, and 10 seconds ticked away before he could finally scream loud enough.

When senior Chris Fiore took a slashing penalty with just over a minute to go, the crowd started to deflate, and as Syracuse scored the equalizer with 5.5 seconds to go, the raucous fans were suddenly filled with worry.

In the overtime session, Zywicki found the back of the net, and then found himself in the middle of a mound of soaked fans and players.

“It kind of hurt at the bottom of that pile,” Zywicki said, although the smirk that crossed his face denied any pain.