Lacrosse Orangemen Rally in Second Half to Defeat Maryland, 9-6

COLLEGE PARK, MD. -- After trailing Maryland, 5-1 at halftime, the No. 2-ranked Syracuse Orangemen rattled off eight second-half goals to post a 9-6 preseason victory against the sixth-ranked Terps at Byrd Stadium.

Junior attackman Michael Springer (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) paced Syracuse with two goals and two assists, while senior attackman Josh Coffman (Carthage, N.Y./Carthage) finished with a goal and three assists. Sophomore attackman Brian Nee (Cockeysville, Md./Boys' Latin) tallied his game-high three goals all in the second half.

Junior midfielder Mike Smith (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin) was responsible for putting Syracuse on the scoreboard before halftime and he added another goal before the game ended.

Red-shirt freshman goaltender Jay Pfeifer (Towson, Md./Gilman) started for SU, played the scrimmage's first 54:20 and finished with 16 saves. He and the Syracuse defense allowed just one Maryland goal in the game's final 30 minutes. Senior Alex Mummolo (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury) contributed to that, seeing time on the field for the final 5:40. He saved the only shot Maryland threw at him.

Maryland was led by Mike LaMonica who registered three goals. Mike Morsell had two goals and an assist for the Terps. Danny McCormick played the first three quarters in goal for Maryland and recorded 20 saves.

Syracuse opens its 2002 campaign on Saturday, February 23, at 3:30 p.m. against Army in the Carrier Dome. Maryland opens up next Saturday at home against Hobart at 1 p.m.

Syracuse 9, Maryland 6

Scoring by quarters:

Syracuse 0-1-4-4=9

Maryland 4-1-1-0=6

Syracuse Goals: Brian Nee 3, Mike Smith 2, Michael Springer 2, Josh Coffman 1, Alex Zink 1.

Syracuse Assists: Josh Coffman 3, Michael Powell 2, Michael Springer 2, Bill Perritt 1, Zack Wallace 1.

Saves: Jay Pfeifer (Syracuse) 16, Alex Mummolo (Syracuse) 1. Danny McCormick (Maryland) 20, T.C. Behm (Maryland) 6.

Maryland Goals: Mike LaMonica 3, Mike Morsell 2, Matt Urlock 1.

Maryland Assists: Dan LaMonica 2, Mike Mollot 2, Jamie Daue 1, Mike Morsell 1.

Shots: Syracuse 47, Maryland 26

Groundballs: Syracuse 42, Maryland 36

Faceoffs: Syracuse 8-18, Maryland 10-18