Saturday, April 11
Chapel Hill, NC
4 pm
Syracuse University
at
North Carolina
Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
'Cuse Wraps Up ACC Play at North Carolina
4/9/2015 3:34:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Orange makes first trip to Chapel Hill since 1993
(2) SYRACUSE (8-1, 2-1 ACC) at (4) NORTH CAROLINA (11-1, 2-0 ACC)
Game Details:Â Saturday, April 11 | 4 p.m.
Location: Fetzer Field | Chapel Hill, N.C.
Game Links: Tickets | Watch | Listen | Live StatsÂ
Television:Â ESPNU
Radio:Â ESPN 97.7 FM (Syracuse)Â
Twitter:Â @CuseMLAXÂ |Â @Cuse
Syracuse Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
North Carolina Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 2 Syracuse (8-1, 2-1 ACC) concludes Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday, April 11 when it makes its first trip to Chapel Hill since 1993 to take on the fourth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (11-1, 2-0 ACC) in 4 p.m. contest at Fetzer Field. The Orange is assured a top-three seed in the upcoming conference championship. North Carolina has also clinched a berth in the four-team tournament.
The Orange bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 17-12 non-conference victory against Albany in its most recent outing on April 2. UNC has won back-to-back ACC games since suffering its only loss of the year to Maryland on March 21. The Syracuse game will mark the 10th home game for the Tar Heels in 2015.
ACC SPORTSMANSHIP WEEK
The week of April 6 through April 12 is the ACC's Spring Sportsmanship Week. Established in 2010, ACC Sportsmanship Week is a campaign to emphasize sportsmanship among conference teams and fans. Before the opening faceoff, Syracuse and North Carolina will show their dedication to good sportsmanship with a pre-game handshake.
GALASSO RETURNS TO FETZER
Even though Syracuse hasn't visited Carolina since 1993, there is one member of the SU roster that has played at Fetzer Field – Nicky Galasso. Galasso played two seasons for the Tar Heels, including his rookie campaign of 2011 when he was named the ACC Freshman of the Year, before transferring to SU.
Galasso's first game at Fetzer was a memorable one. He scored four goals and passed out one assist in his collegiate debut to power the Tar Heels to a 14-11 victory against Robert Morris on Feb. 12, 2011. His last game there was a 16-14 NCAA Tournament loss to Denver on May 12, 2012 – nearly three years ago.
IN THE CLEAR
The Orange ranks fourth nationally in clearing percentage at 91.1 percent, on pace for the third-best success rate in school history. Should Syracuse finish at 90 percent or better it would mark the third time in five years the Orange achieved that feat. SU also hit the 90 percent mark in 2011 and 2013.
A high clearing rate generally translates into fewer turnovers. In both 2011 and 2013, when SU cleared above 90 percent, it ranked second in the NCAA in fewest turnovers per game. The Orange is 12th in fewest turnovers (12.44 per game) this season.
According to research done by the Virginia Athletic Media Relations Office, there have been 17 seasons in which a Division I team has cleared the ball at 90 percent or better, including two by Syracuse.
GIVE HIM FIVE
Midfielder Henry Schoonmaker scored a career-high five goals, including two man-down goals, in SU's win against Albany on April 2. Prior to Schoonmaker's outburst, the last SU middie to record a five-goal game was Brian Crockett. Crockett had six goals versus Albany on April 22, 2005.
INSIDE BEN WILLIAMS' DOMINANCE
Ben Williams is second in the NCAA in faceoff winning percentage at 70 percent (147-210). During the course of the season, has put together some impressive in-game streaks that have helped define success for the Orange. Williams has won at least six faceoffs in row seven times this year. Included in those runs are two streaks of 11 consecutive faceoff victories (vs. Army and Duke) and a season-best string of 15 in a row against Albany.
In the Albany game, Williams won the first nine faceoffs, lost then next three, then won his last 15. He posted two perfect quarters, going 9-for-9 at the X in both the first and third quarters of SU's 17-12 victory.
Against Army, he claimed all 11 draws in the first half before losing the opening faceoff of the third quarter. Overall, he won 15 of the first 16 versus the Black Knights and Syracuse won, 12-9. Williams also won 11 in a row during the first half of the Duke game to help the Orange get out to a 13-1 lead. Syracuse eventually defeated the Blue Devils, 19-7.
Williams has six perfect quarters this season (1st/2nd vs. Army, 2nd vs. St. John's, 2nd vs. Notre Dame, 1st/3rd vs. Albany).
SCOUTING NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina owns a 13-game home winning streak, including a 9-0 record in Chapel Hill this season. The Tar Heels' last home loss was on March 1, 2014 against Notre Dame, 11-10.
UNC features the potent offensive duo of Joey Sankey (24 goals, 30 assists) and Jimmy Bitter (29 goals, 32 assists). Both are in the top 15 nationally in scoring and in the top 10 in assists per game. Luke Goldstock leads North Carolina with 35 goals and a .455 shooting percentage. He has two six-goal games this season (Bryant, Richmond).
Preseason All-ACC selection Chad Tutton is one of the best offensive midfielders in the game. He has 25 goals and four assists. Tutton was named the ACC co-Offensive Player of the Week on March 30 for his four-goal showing versus Duke.
Goalie Kieran Burke (90 saves, .559 save pct.) and close defenseman Austin Pifani (30 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers) lead a Carolina unit that is surrendering nine goals a game.Â
Coach Joe Breschi is in his seventh year at UNC. He is 80-31 with the Tar Heels. Overall, Breschi holds a 172-94 record, which includes an 11-year stint as the head coach at Ohio State. Breschi has been named ACC Coach of the Year twice (2010, 2013).
THE NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
SU is 12-6 all-time against North Carolina, but 1-4 against the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. The last time SU played in Chapel Hill was the 1993 season opener. The Tar Heels won 14-10 behind five points (2 goals, 3 assists) from Steve Speers. Charlie Lockwood bagged three goals to pace the Orange.
The Orange's only road win in the series was on March 11, 1989. The 11-7 victory sparked a 14-game winning streak that propelled the team to the national championship.
Syracuse has won the last four pairings, including an 11-10 victory in double overtime last season at the Carrier Dome in the first meeting between the teams as conference opponents.
UP NEXT
Syracuse returns to the Carrier Dome for its final home game of the 2015 regular season on Tuesday, April 14 versus Hobart.
Â
Game Details:Â Saturday, April 11 | 4 p.m.
Location: Fetzer Field | Chapel Hill, N.C.
Game Links: Tickets | Watch | Listen | Live StatsÂ
Television:Â ESPNU
Radio:Â ESPN 97.7 FM (Syracuse)Â
Twitter:Â @CuseMLAXÂ |Â @Cuse
Syracuse Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
North Carolina Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 2 Syracuse (8-1, 2-1 ACC) concludes Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday, April 11 when it makes its first trip to Chapel Hill since 1993 to take on the fourth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (11-1, 2-0 ACC) in 4 p.m. contest at Fetzer Field. The Orange is assured a top-three seed in the upcoming conference championship. North Carolina has also clinched a berth in the four-team tournament.
The Orange bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 17-12 non-conference victory against Albany in its most recent outing on April 2. UNC has won back-to-back ACC games since suffering its only loss of the year to Maryland on March 21. The Syracuse game will mark the 10th home game for the Tar Heels in 2015.
ACC SPORTSMANSHIP WEEK
The week of April 6 through April 12 is the ACC's Spring Sportsmanship Week. Established in 2010, ACC Sportsmanship Week is a campaign to emphasize sportsmanship among conference teams and fans. Before the opening faceoff, Syracuse and North Carolina will show their dedication to good sportsmanship with a pre-game handshake.
GALASSO RETURNS TO FETZER
Even though Syracuse hasn't visited Carolina since 1993, there is one member of the SU roster that has played at Fetzer Field – Nicky Galasso. Galasso played two seasons for the Tar Heels, including his rookie campaign of 2011 when he was named the ACC Freshman of the Year, before transferring to SU.
Galasso's first game at Fetzer was a memorable one. He scored four goals and passed out one assist in his collegiate debut to power the Tar Heels to a 14-11 victory against Robert Morris on Feb. 12, 2011. His last game there was a 16-14 NCAA Tournament loss to Denver on May 12, 2012 – nearly three years ago.
IN THE CLEAR
The Orange ranks fourth nationally in clearing percentage at 91.1 percent, on pace for the third-best success rate in school history. Should Syracuse finish at 90 percent or better it would mark the third time in five years the Orange achieved that feat. SU also hit the 90 percent mark in 2011 and 2013.
A high clearing rate generally translates into fewer turnovers. In both 2011 and 2013, when SU cleared above 90 percent, it ranked second in the NCAA in fewest turnovers per game. The Orange is 12th in fewest turnovers (12.44 per game) this season.
According to research done by the Virginia Athletic Media Relations Office, there have been 17 seasons in which a Division I team has cleared the ball at 90 percent or better, including two by Syracuse.
GIVE HIM FIVE
Midfielder Henry Schoonmaker scored a career-high five goals, including two man-down goals, in SU's win against Albany on April 2. Prior to Schoonmaker's outburst, the last SU middie to record a five-goal game was Brian Crockett. Crockett had six goals versus Albany on April 22, 2005.
INSIDE BEN WILLIAMS' DOMINANCE
Ben Williams is second in the NCAA in faceoff winning percentage at 70 percent (147-210). During the course of the season, has put together some impressive in-game streaks that have helped define success for the Orange. Williams has won at least six faceoffs in row seven times this year. Included in those runs are two streaks of 11 consecutive faceoff victories (vs. Army and Duke) and a season-best string of 15 in a row against Albany.
In the Albany game, Williams won the first nine faceoffs, lost then next three, then won his last 15. He posted two perfect quarters, going 9-for-9 at the X in both the first and third quarters of SU's 17-12 victory.
Against Army, he claimed all 11 draws in the first half before losing the opening faceoff of the third quarter. Overall, he won 15 of the first 16 versus the Black Knights and Syracuse won, 12-9. Williams also won 11 in a row during the first half of the Duke game to help the Orange get out to a 13-1 lead. Syracuse eventually defeated the Blue Devils, 19-7.
Williams has six perfect quarters this season (1st/2nd vs. Army, 2nd vs. St. John's, 2nd vs. Notre Dame, 1st/3rd vs. Albany).
SCOUTING NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina owns a 13-game home winning streak, including a 9-0 record in Chapel Hill this season. The Tar Heels' last home loss was on March 1, 2014 against Notre Dame, 11-10.
UNC features the potent offensive duo of Joey Sankey (24 goals, 30 assists) and Jimmy Bitter (29 goals, 32 assists). Both are in the top 15 nationally in scoring and in the top 10 in assists per game. Luke Goldstock leads North Carolina with 35 goals and a .455 shooting percentage. He has two six-goal games this season (Bryant, Richmond).
Preseason All-ACC selection Chad Tutton is one of the best offensive midfielders in the game. He has 25 goals and four assists. Tutton was named the ACC co-Offensive Player of the Week on March 30 for his four-goal showing versus Duke.
Goalie Kieran Burke (90 saves, .559 save pct.) and close defenseman Austin Pifani (30 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers) lead a Carolina unit that is surrendering nine goals a game.Â
Coach Joe Breschi is in his seventh year at UNC. He is 80-31 with the Tar Heels. Overall, Breschi holds a 172-94 record, which includes an 11-year stint as the head coach at Ohio State. Breschi has been named ACC Coach of the Year twice (2010, 2013).
THE NORTH CAROLINA SERIES
SU is 12-6 all-time against North Carolina, but 1-4 against the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. The last time SU played in Chapel Hill was the 1993 season opener. The Tar Heels won 14-10 behind five points (2 goals, 3 assists) from Steve Speers. Charlie Lockwood bagged three goals to pace the Orange.
The Orange's only road win in the series was on March 11, 1989. The 11-7 victory sparked a 14-game winning streak that propelled the team to the national championship.
Syracuse has won the last four pairings, including an 11-10 victory in double overtime last season at the Carrier Dome in the first meeting between the teams as conference opponents.
UP NEXT
Syracuse returns to the Carrier Dome for its final home game of the 2015 regular season on Tuesday, April 14 versus Hobart.
Â
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's LacrossePress Conference | NCAA Semifinal
Saturday, May 24
Highlights | Syracuse vs. Maryland - NCAA Semifinal
Saturday, May 24
Syracuse vs. Maryland: NCAA Tournament Semifinals
Saturday, May 24
Walkin' and Talkin' with Carter Rice
Saturday, May 24
