The Biggest Test of No. 2 Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse’s Season Thus Far is Less Than 24 Hours Away

By Josh Richardson | @joshrichy_04

Through three games this season, 2nd ranked Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse has ramped up its competition. After an easy season opener against Jacksonville, SU faced an always pesky Vermont squad and 16th ranked Towson. While the final score may show that the Orange dominated those tilts (13-5 & 18-7 respectively), both games were close heading into the final frame. Now, that level of competition rises up almost to the top when Syracuse battles No. 6 Maryland tomorrow at 1. So what exactly is SU walking into? How good can this team perform against the best of the best?

Offense

The Orange offense this season has fired on all cylinders. SU has 55 total goals in its first three tilts with production coming from all over the field. Midfielder Michael Leo scored four goals against Jacksonville, Attackman Joey Spalling tied his career high with 10 points versus Vermont, and midfielder Luke Rhoa dominated Towson with four goals of his own. When you add in the SportsCenter worthy goals Finn Thomson somehow finds a way to score, the incoming breakout season from Trey Deere, and never forget about the dominance of last year’s leading goal-scorer Owen Hiltz, it’s hard to pinpoint a defensive group that can stop, let alone contain Syracuse. Maryland however, held Loyola and #18 Richmond to just 15 combined scores. It will be a battle with how much depth SU has and the prowess from one of the most historic programs in the country. Get your popcorn ready for when the ball is on the Syracuse offensive side of the field.

Defense

This is the spot that COULD give Syracuse the most trouble. While the 11 goal win against Towson may have SEEMED like a blowout, the Tigers had it within four entering the final frame. There are questions on both sidelines for this set: The Orange’s defense against the Terps’ offense. SU goalkeeper Jimmy McCool is in his first season of starts for his career, but Maryland doesn’t have the offensive talent that it did just last year. McCool has looked sharp to begin his season, and last year in his availability he certainly appeared serviceable. The good thing for him is the strong defensive group in front of him in Michael Grace and Billy Dwan. Watch for how Maryland attacks SU with quick passes and shifty cuts. It’s hard to match up offensively against the likes of Grace and Dwan. Instead of playing the man, look for initiative from X if your Syracuse.

Overall

This is a contest that could go either way. On one hand, SU returns almost the same team that lost by just one goal in overtime from last year. On the other, the Orange haven’t beaten Maryland in College Park since the ‘90s. If there was ever a year to break the multi-decade long dry spell, it’s now. Gametime from College Park is set for tomorrow at 1. For live updates throughout the contest, follow @johnboccio23 on Twitter.