For most, the freshman year of college is a difficult time. Between living away from home, meeting new people, and not having home-cooked meals, it can be a struggle. Someone apparently forgot to tell that to Syracuse attackman Owen Hiltz.
If you watched Syracuse (7-5, 2-4 ACC) take on Robert Morris (7-6, 1-0 Independent) on Friday, you would’ve never known the freshman phenom out of Peterborough, Ontario is just 18 years old. Hiltz played like a seasoned veteran, pouring in seven goals and adding two assists en route to a 21-14 win for Syracuse.
Head coach John Desko didn’t just credit Hiltz’s lacrosse ability, but also commended his knowledge of the game.
“Hiltz was pretty smart today. He understood their slide package, put himself in spots where he knew his guy was going to slide from, got to the open space, and obviously scored 7 goals today.”
Hiltz wasn’t the only one who had success finding the back of the net. Attackman Owen Seebold added five goals of his own and midfielder Tucker Dordevic tallied a hat trick. A week after Syracuse struggled mightily on the offensive end against Notre Dame, it’s safe to say the Orange found their footing.
Robert Morris kept within striking distance throughout the first half, staying within three or four goals most of the way. A field-length pass from midfielder Jake Boudreau set up a goal for attackman Ryan Smith just before the break.
But, Syracuse ripped off a 7-2 run to open the second half, and RMU never recovered. SU carried that momentum throughout the rest of the game, securing the 21-14 victory when the final horn sounded.
One must give credit where credit is due, and Robert Morris attackman Ryan Smith deserves just that. Albeit in a losing effort, the nation’s sixth-leading scorer found the back of the net seven times. Syracuse had little-to-no answer for him defensively, but the all-around effort from the Orange leveled off Smith’s dominance.
The team was without attackman Chase Scanlan following this past week’s uncertainty. In a tweet a few hours before faceoff, WAER Sports’ Jaron May reported that he was arrested Friday morning.
NEWS: Syracuse Police have arrested SU Men's Lacrosse's Chase Scanlan today on charges of Fourth Degree Criminal Mischief, a class A misdemeanor and Second Degree Harassment.
— Jaron May (@jaron_may) May 7, 2021
We'll have more on Countdown to Faceoff at 3:30 p.m.@WAERSports | @waer883 pic.twitter.com/QstAdNVg4m
The ‘Cuse now turns their attention to Selection Sunday, where the 16-team field for the NCAA Tournament will be announced. SU will find out if they’re in the tournament and who they’ll play in the first round. While Syracuse didn’t quite fulfill their preseason expectations, the tournament is a new ball game.
“We look at it as a whole new season,” said Desko of the NCAA tournament. “We were 1 or 2 in strength of schedule at a point last week … [that schedule] says something, it makes you better. It’s going to help us going into the playoffs. A good attitude and a win today is going to get us off to a good start.”
The details of WAER’s next broadcast will be announced once Syracuse’s next opponent and game time are determined. Stay tuned to our Twitter, @WAERSports for the latest on Syracuse men’s lacrosse.