11 players scored for @CuseMLAX in a 16-3 rout of @ManhattanMLAX.@swilkes04 and @JLeonard1013 had the call for the Orange's offensive explosion. pic.twitter.com/Lwdm69zML1
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 9, 2024
Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse (3-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) continued its hot start to the season with a blowout victory over Manhattan (0-1, 0-0 Metro Atlantic) on Friday. The Orange continued to move the ball incredibly fast and the Jaspers just couldn’t do anything to stop it. SU assisted on 13 of its 16 goals.
The leader on offense for the ‘Cuse was once again Joey Spallina. The sophomore continued his tear with a career-high 10 points. Spallina became the first player since Ryan Powell did it all the way back in 2000.
“I think that's awesome you know.” Spallina said after the win, “I look up to them you know they were great here you know so to be in the same conversation as any of them is great.”
The Long Island native already has 26 points on the young season. He had 55 in his historic freshman season.
Head Coach Gary Gait was thrilled with his young leader, “He has the ability to have big games and lead this team. I thought that he did a great job on offense to move the ball.”
Spallina spread the ball around to the entire offense with a career-high seven assists. At halftime, he had just six and Spallina didn’t even play in the fourth quarter other than a short man-up opportunity.
The connection between SU attackers Joey Spallina and Owen Hiltz produced a goal. @JLeonard1013 narrated the score from the junior.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 9, 2024
🎙️https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P,@waer883 pic.twitter.com/Z2Vb7QMWhU
The teammate that Spallina found the most success passing the ball to was Owen Hiltz. The redshirt junior continued his strong start with a hat trick and six total points.
The feeder credits today's success to the chemistry built over the past two years, “Owen did a great job of playing off me and then obviously returning the favor. I think my job is pretty easy. It’s catch, look then pass it along.”
The defense was stellar once again for the ‘Cuse. Will Mark gave up just three goals. This game meant a lot to SU as the new defensive coordinator John Odierna was the head coach at Manhattan last year. “I know that the players really wanted to have a good game today and execute.” Gait said after the game.
Syracuse can continue is strong start in the Dome on Saturday against Maryland (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten). WAER’s coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to faceoff.