No. 7 Syracuse men’s lacrosse (4-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts High Point (4-1, 0-0 Atlantic Ten) on Saturday, where the team will honor its upperclassmen departing the program.
The Orange are saying goodbye to 13 of its players at the end of the season, most notably faceoff specialist Mason Kohn, goaltender Will Mark, and attacker Christian Mulé. The veterans have had a large impact on the current campaign, being a key reason Syracuse is ranked seventh in the nation according to Inside Lacrosse.
Kohn has jumpstarted SU’s performance in the faceoff circle. Syracuse was just 42% from the X last year, and has improved to 69% thanks to reinforcement from the Tufts transfer. Syracuse ranks at the top of the ACC in faceoff percentage.
“He dominated Division Three, but physically he’s a D1 athlete,” SU head coach Gary Gait said earlier this season about Kohn. “He’s shown his incredible composure for a guy who’s never played a fall ball. He plays like he’s played D1 for five straight years.”
Mark, the graduate student from California, has given the Orange consistent goaltending for back-to-back seasons. The LIU transfer ranks fourth in the ACC in save percentage at a .539.
Mulé, the fifth year student from Long Island, sits third on the team in points with 18 in the first five games, including a highlight reel behind-the-back goal on Wednesday against Army.
Syracuse attackman Christian Mulé put some flair on his second goal of the game. @swilkes04 had the call for the Lehigh transfer's flashy score.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 29, 2024
🎙️https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P, @waer883 pic.twitter.com/QI0uKLkXOa
SU is hopeful these seniors can go out as champions of the NCAA. Getting to that point however starts with a strong beginning to the campaign. The ‘Cuse have jumped out to a 4-2 start after falling to #5 Army 14-13 in overtime on Wednesday.
“I think it's a positive that we can make some mistakes and still be right there with a top-five opponent," Gait said after the game.
After No. 7 @CuseMLAX lost to No. 5 @ArmyWP_MLax in OT yesterday, @IanNicholasTV and @swilkes04 closed up shop on Orange Overtime Extra.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 29, 2024
🥍 The Extra Period
🥍 Spallina Slowed Down
🥍 Secondary Scorers
SU returns Saturday against @HPUMensLax. Our coverage goes live at 4:30. pic.twitter.com/JcKovEUFJw
The next challenge awaits on Saturday, as Syracuse hosts High Point University for the first ever matchup between the programs. High Point men’s lacrosse was founded in 2010 as a member of the Big South conference. The Panthers, under inaugural head coach Jon Torpey, have made the NCAA tournament twice, in both 2015 and 2021. The program announced a move to the Atlantic Ten in 2023, where it went 2-3 in conference play last season.
High Point in 2024 has posted a strong 4-1 record, with its only loss being to #1 Duke 21-9 on February 10th. Senior attacker Brayden Mayea leads the Panthers in scoring, with 17 goals and 27 points through four of the first five contests.
“We’re gonna review the tape, and this (game) needs to be the turning point of our season,” Gait claimed, looking ahead to the matchup with High Point.
Syracuse has the opportunity to take the inaugural matchup between the programs Saturday afternoon. Faceoff is set for 5:00 p.m., and WAER’s coverage starts at 4:30 with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Faceoff.