LISTEN: @CuseMLAX came from behind to beat @UVMmlax 7-5 in its 2023 regular season opener. @francescosim16 and @JoePuccio_ had the call.https://t.co/F9DtTK5rok
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 4, 2023
2023 is an important year for Syracuse men’s lacrosse. After its worst season ever, the Orange needed to start off on the right foot. SU (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) faced Vermont (0-1, 0-0 America East Conference), where both sides traded runs throughout. When the dust settled though, the Orange outlasted the Catamounts 7-5.
The first quarter was controlled by UVM. Midfielder Derek Marsilio scored 10 minutes in, which proved to be the only goal of the period. Vermont outshot Syracuse 10-7 while putting more attempts on net (4-3).
Once the second frame came around, the Orange exploded and found twine four times. First, it was long stick midfielder Saam Olexo who capitalized off a clear. Less than three minutes later, midfielder Jackson Birtwistle converted on a man-up situation. Just 47 seconds after, attackman Finn Thomson hit a snipe for his first career goal. The freshman then found a cutting Alex Simmons for the grad student’s first score as a member of the ‘Cuse.
Gary Gait’s squad completely dominated the quarter and took a 4-1 lead into the break. SU also had an 18-4 advantage in shots and won four more faceoffs.
UVM came out of the locker room on a mission. All-America East First Teamer David Closterman scored on the initial possession of the second half. There wasn’t much action until almost eight minutes later when attackman Jonas Hunter tallied back-to-back goals to tie things up. 60 seconds after, Brock Haley gave the Cats a 5-4 lead.
“I think they just jumped the gun and brought the energy,” said Syracuse defenseman Nick Caccamo. “We can’t take our gas off the pedal.”
Eventually, the Orange were able to get on the board with just 36 seconds left. The nation’s top recruit, Joey Spallina, dodged from behind the cage and then fired on the run. The Long Island native’s highly anticipated first career goal came on his 10th try. Overall, the freshman finished with a measly 6.7% shooting clip.
“He just has to let the game come to him and do what he does on a day-to-day basis,” explained SU head coach Gary Gait.
Spallina’s struggles didn’t end up holding down the ‘Cuse too much. Shortly into the final quarter, Finn Thomson found Jackson Birtwistle in front of the net for an easy score. Then, with a little more than seven minutes remaining, Owen Hiltz snuck the dagger by UVM’s defense. It was the redshirt sophomore’s first contest back after he suffered a serious injury during a preseason scrimmage last year.
After the Orange took a two-point lead, they relied heavily on their defense. That was pretty easy given the stellar play of goalie Will Mark. The LIU transfer made 13 saves, which already matches the career-high of his predecessor Bobby Gavin. As a matter of fact, the senior allowed a third of what the 2022 ‘Cuse team did per game.
SU came out on top, but it also scored its lowest amount of points in a win since 2013. Regardless, Syracuse starts 1-0 and gets set to host UAlbany (0-0, 0-0 AEC) at 7 p.m. on Friday. The Orange have a chance to exact revenge on the Great Danes after they lost 14-12 a year ago. Tune in to WAER’s coverage at 6:30 p.m. for McClurg Team Countdown to Faceoff.