After two back-to-back losses against ranked foes, number 11 Syracuse men’s lacrosse (4-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) rebounded with a dominant 15-5 win over Utah (1-4, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) last Saturday. With some wind in its sails, SU aims to carry that momentum into its next game versus its long-time rival; 7th-ranked Johns Hopkins (5-1, 0-0 Big Ten).
The matchup is among the most historic in college lacrosse history. The Orange and the Blue Jays have played more than 60 games against each other since 1921. Most recently, SU has won three of the last five matchups against JHU, including a 14-13 victory in the Crown Lacrosse Classic last year in Charlotte.
The first top-five win in the Gary Gait era came down in Charlotte when 9th ranked @CuseMLAX outlasted 2nd ranked @hopkinsmenslax 14-13. @Austin_Barach and @TylerJAitken had the call. pic.twitter.com/LcTamOec6R
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) March 10, 2024
The parallels between that game to this year’s are very similar. The ‘Cuse was in need of a statement win after two narrow losses to ranked opponents (Maryland and Army), and by taking down then number two Johns Hopkins, it marked the first top-five win of the Gary Gait era.
If Syracuse wants another victory against its rival, playing a complete 60 minutes is crucial. The Orange have led at the halftime break in each of their games this season, but have amassed just 10 goals in the second half across their last three contests.
“We’ve been playing very well in the first quarter and getting up on teams, and we need to be able to keep that going,” SU head coach Gary Gait said.
On the other side, Johns Hopkins has demonstrated the ability to finish strong. The Blue Jays have outscored their opponents in the second half in four of six games this season. Last week against 18th ranked Virginia, Johns Hopkins went on a 6-4 run in the final 30 minutes to secure a 13-12 victory.
One of the key contributors on the Blue Jays attack this year has been sophomore Hunter Chauvette. The attackman tallied five of his 13 goals this season against the Cavaliers, nearly matching his total from last year in just six games. But Chauvette isn’t the only threat on JHU’s roster. Senior attackman Russell Melendez and junior midfielder Matt Collison each have more than 10 goals and 18 points this season.
While Syracuse’s offense has the pieces to go toe-to-toe with Johns Hopkins, the Orange defense could end up making a difference as well. SU has held its opponents to an average of 8 goals per game, good for the 10th best scoring defense in the country. Last week against Utah, the ‘Cuse arguably had its best defensive performance yet, forcing 19 turnovers and holding the Utes to just five scores.
The change in altitude out west was no problem for @CuseMLAX defenseman Michael Grace.@Hudson_Ridley depicted the Orange graduate student's heave.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) March 1, 2025
📻@waer883, https://t.co/BG0Q3sGXTn pic.twitter.com/R7jrXtNtk4
“It doesn’t matter whether it's zero-zero or 15-5,” SU defender Riley Figueiras said after the game. “We just slide, recover, and do our job.”
Coach Gait believes that his team has what it takes to play at its best all the way through.
“We’re going to continue to build on what we’ve been doing this year, and hopefully we can get better at finishing a full 60 minutes.” Gait said.
The top-15 clash gets underway at 2 Sunday. WAER has all the coverage beginning with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Faceoff at 1:30.