In Syracuse's final home game of 2019, they will welcome a familiar foe, and tournament adversary, to the Carrier Dome on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:00. The No. 11 Syracuse Orange (6-3, 1-2), will take on the No. 10 Cornell Big Red (7-3, 2-2) in a rematch of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament, where the Big Red sent the Orange home early with a 10-9 victory.
Both teams are enjoying successful 2019 campaigns, and both surely have their sights set on another tournament appearance. Syracuse is coming off a 17-5 victory against No. 20 Hobart, where the Orange held Hobart scoreless in the entire second half. After Stephen Rehfuss put Syracuse up 6-5 with 5:54 remaining in the first half, Hobart did not find the net again.
Meanwhile, Cornell is coming off a win of their own, as they took down Harvard 19-11 on Saturday. The Big Red have won the last two against Syracuse, both coming last season. Syracuse has the advantage in the big picture, however; The Orange lead the Big Red 65-38-1 all time, and are 13-9 under current head coach John Desko.
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In Syracuse's offensive showcase against Hobart last Tuesday, senior attackman Bradley Voigt and sophomore midfielder Jacob Buttermore both tallied hat tricks, and Matt Magnan, Jamie Trimboli, David Lipka, and Stephen Rehfuss all contributed with two goals of their own. Voigt (22) and Trimboli (17) lead the team in goals scored. The Big Red are no pushover on the offensive end, as they enter the contest as the second-highest scoring offense in the country with just over 15 goals per game. Syracuse is not far off, but with their 12 goal per game average, they will need their stars to show up on Tuesday to keep pace with Cornell's attack.
Syracuse has a slight edge over Cornell in saves per game, but Syracuse will have to be careful taking care of the ball. Cornell ranks fourth in the nation in forced turnovers per game at 11.60, while the Orange place seventh in turnovers per game with 14. Between Cornell's explosive offense and their ability to force turnovers, Syracuse will have to play smart and efficient on the offensive end.
The 105th matchup between two of New York's premiere lacrosse programs will be Syracuse's ninth consecutive game against a ranked opponent. As the final home game of the regular season, Syracuse will honor nine seniors before the game, including Bradley Voigt, Nate Solomon, and Tyson Bomberry.
Syracuse Head Coach made history against Hobart last Tuesday, as he captured his 250th win and moved to 19th in all-time victories. A win against the Big Red would force him into a tie for 18th with Maryland's Jack Faber.
You can watch this game on ESPNU, or catch it on the radio at WAER, 88.3 FM.