The 2019 season for the Syracuse Men's lacrosse team did not start out as planned. In the season opener in the Carrier Dome, Syracuse (0-1) fell 12-9 against Colgate (1-0). On Saturday at 4:00, the Orange will have a chance to break into the win column when they welcome the Great Danes of Albany to the Dome.
Syracuse has largely dominated the matchup with Albany, as the Orange lead 15-2 in the history of the matchup. Last year, however, Albany flipped the script and ran Syracuse out of the Carrier Dome, winning 15-3. The Great Danes once again find themselves in the rankings, as they will enter this game at 14th on the NCAA rankings, while the Orange currently sit at Number 20.
Prior to last year's debacle, Syracuse had won five straight contests against Albany, and a win on Saturday would really ease the burden of the loss in the opener.
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The Orange will enter play today with a few different names on their roster, most notably in net. Drake Porter made his first career start for Syracuse against Colgate, tallying 15 saves and maintaining solid goalie play for Syracuse. In a less positive light, Syracuse announced on Wednesday that star midfielder Tucker Dordevic would miss the remainder of the season after re-injuring his foot in practice this week. Dordevic, a sophomore who started every game at midfield his freshman year, will be sorely missed after a breakout campaign in his first year.
Starting in his place will be David Lipka, a redshirt sophomore who appeared in 13 of 15 games last year, recording 12 goals and 2 assists on Syracuse's second midfield line. He's already begun to fill Dordevic's shoes as he netted a goal in the loss against Colgate.
Offensively, Syracuse will lean on midfielder Brendan Curry and attacker Nate Solomon, who both recorded hat tricks against Colgate. The Orange will be without Brendan Bomberry this season, and Solomon will have to pick up the slack on the offensive end.
This will be Syracuse's first matchup of the season against a ranked opponent. The Orange are notoriously good following a loss, with a 45-23 record all-time.
With some new names and faces, and some familiar ones, the Orange will have their hands full against Albany. Faceoff will be at 4:00 in the Carrier Dome.