Syracuse men’s lacrosse earned a statement victory Friday night, as the No. 2 Orange defeated top-ranked Maryland, 11-9, at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Syracuse (3-0) built a four-goal halftime lead and held off a third-quarter surge from the Terrapins (1-1) to secure its first win over a No. 1-ranked opponent since 2017 and snap an eight-game losing streak in the series. Joey Spallina led the Orange with four goals, while Wyatt Hottle recorded two goals and an assist and Michael Leo added two second-half goals. Tyler McCarthy, Payton Anderson and Bogue Hahn each scored once.
Goalkeeper Jimmy McCool made nine saves, and John Mullen won 12 of 24 faceoffs while collecting a game-high seven ground balls as Syracuse controlled possession and finished with a 36-22 advantage in ground balls.
Maryland scored first, but Syracuse responded with a three-goal run late in the opening quarter and carried a 7-4 lead into halftime. The Terrapins rallied with three straight goals in the third period to pull within one, but Leo scored twice to steady the Orange and restore momentum. Hahn added an insurance goal midway through the fourth quarter, and the Syracuse defense held off Maryland’s late push.
The Orange travel to Harvard on Saturday, February 21, with faceoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
