Owen Hiltz set the Syracuse single-game record for goals scored by a freshman (7), while the attack unit of Hiltz, Owen Seebold and Stephen Rehfuss combined for 21 points to lead the Syracuse offense to a season-high 21 goals.
Hiltz now has 47 points on the season. Since 1980, just three freshman have scored more points in a season – John Zulberti (74 – 1986), Mikey Powell (70 – 2001) and Casey Powell (67 – 1995). Hiltz is currently eighth on Syracuse’s freshman points list.
After a frantic first half with 24 combined goals, the Orange defense settled in and allowed just one third period tally from the Colonials to allow ‘Cuse to pull away. Hiltz (7-2), Seebold (5-2) and Rehfuss (2-3) led the team, while Dordevic added a hat trick out of the first midfield and Jamie Trymboli and Brendan Curry each scored twice.
“I thought what helped our cause today was we dominated in the faceoffs,” said head coach John Desko. “I thought our wings played well and we settled down defensively in the second half.”
The offense was powered by another strong day at the faceoff X. Syracuse went 26-of-37 on restarts, while Phaup won 24-of-32 on his own and had a career-high 16 ground balls.
Trimboli got ‘Cuse on the board on the game’s first possession, but Robert Morris’ Jake Boudreau answered shortly after.
After the two Owen’s each notched their first goals of the day, RMU scored back-to-back tallies to even things at three. Ryan Smith scored his first-of-seven in the span. The seven goals was an opponent Dome record. Smith scored five in the first half for the Colonials, but was held to just two in the second half after Grant Murphy was switched onto him after intermission.
Syracuse slowly pulled away after that, with Robert Morris never getting to within three for the remainder of the first half after ‘Cuse opened a 9-5 first quarter lead.
Syracuse now awaits its NCAA Tournament opponent on Sunday’s selection show, which will be televised at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.
GAME RECAP LINKS:
- Orange Attack Powers Orange Past RMU (Cuse.com)
- Hiltz, Seebold spearhead No. 9 SU’s dominant 21-14 win over Robert Morris (DailyOrange.com)
- Owen Hiltz ties record with 7 goals as Syracuse lacrosse overpowers Robert Morris (Syracuse.com)
- 3 takeaways from No. 9 Syracuse’s 21-14 win over Robert Morris (DailyOrange.com)
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
MEDIA:
That’ll do it from the Dome.
Good win heading into the postseason pic.twitter.com/rgR3Pr7bkW
— Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX) May 7, 2021
The all-time list of Syracuse freshmen who have scored more goals in a game than Owen Hiltz’s seven today:
That’s it. That’s the list. pic.twitter.com/EmTBGRfp8J
— Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX) May 8, 2021
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].