The first two games of the season for 2nd ranked Syracuse men’s lacrosse (2-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have been more of a warmup than a real challenge. A 19-goal win over Jacksonville and an eight-goal win against Vermont have SU getting in a rhythm to start the season. But now the challenges start. After falling to Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season, 17th ranked Towson (0-1, 0-0 Coastal Athletic Association) presents the first real threat to the Orange and starts a three game stretch against ranked teams for the ‘Cuse.
The Tigers began their season against a much stronger opponent than the Orange’s first two tilts and it cost them. Towson fell to 8th ranked Johns Hopkins 11-10 last Tuesday. It’s the second straight loss to the Blue Jays on opening day, but the Tigers still had a successful season last year. Towson went undefeated within its conference last year and came into its tourney matchup against SU on a nine-game win streak.
In its return to NCAA Tournament action, No. 4 @CuseMLAX used a 9-1 third quarter run to top @Towson_MLAX.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) May 13, 2024
WAER's @AndrewSelover and @IanNicholasTV had the call for SU's first Tournament win since 2017. pic.twitter.com/78KxSC87Sp
On the Syracuse side of things, it was a tale of two halves against Vermont on Friday. While the Orange charged out to a 10-1 lead at the break, the Catamounts outscored them 4-3 in the second half.
“I think we got a little bit comfortable when we got up big and we coasted a little bit,” said SU head coach Gary Gait after the win.
Another facet of the game that hurt the Orange was penalties. SU committed eight fouls which accumulated to almost six minutes of game action. While that number is high, Gait was just happy it wasn’t any worse.
“I thought we could have had some more called against us but when you get up big, it always seems like the penalties go against you,” he said.
Highlighting the contest for Syracuse was junior Joey Spallina who tallied ten points, which tied his career high. The Tewaaraton Watchlist nominee believes that his approach to the sport this season has helped his strides tremendously.
“I’m just kind of letting this game come to me,” he said. I’ve been kind of waiting for [the ball] to come to me, and this year I’ve been better at attacking the pass and getting an angle on the goal. I think I’m just finishing my shots and capitalizing when they get it to me.”
Syracuse attackman Finn Thomson (23, white) shoots between his legs and scores to advance the Orange lead against Vermont.
The slate for Syracuse only gets tougher from here. After Towson, SU battles two ranked opponents in a row with Maryland (4) and Harvard (18). Last season, the Orange started 0-2 against top 20 foes.
Gametime from the JMA Wireless Dome is set for 5 p.m. Tune in starting at 4:30 p.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Faceoff on 88.3FM and waer.org.