SU Routs Providence In Season Opener

Sunday, February 15

Syracuse, NY

3 p.m.

Syracuse University

Providence

Stephen Keogh scored a career-best five goals Sunday in his first collegiate start.

2/15/2009 6:12:34 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score | Quotes | Photos

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The top-ranked Orange (1-0) looked in mid-season form on Sunday, Feb. 15 as it crushed Providence (0-1) by the score of 22-3 in its season opener at the Carrier Dome. Twelve players recorded goals for the Orange, and its 22 tallies were the most in a season-opening game since 1997 when it notched 22 in a win against Virginia.

Senior attackman Kenny Nims and sophomore attackman Stephen Keogh combined for 15 points in the victory. Nims tallied a career-best eight points in the contest and he matched his career high with five assists. He assisted on four of SU's five goals in the second quarter. Nims' eight points were the most for an Orange player since Feb. 28, 2004 when Mike Powell had eight in a 19-15 win over Army.

Keogh netted a career-high five goals, all in the first half, during his first collegiate start and recorded two assists to finish with a personal-best seven points.

Redshirt freshman Tim Desko, who made his first career start on attack Sunday, recorded his first collegiate point with an assist as Keogh scored SU's first goal of the year at the 11:41 mark of the first quarter. Bobby Labadini tied the game on an unassisted goal with 5:53 to go in the opening stanza, but the Orange scored six unanswered goals in the final five minutes of the period to take a 7-1 lead into the second quarter. Three of SU's scores in the run were man-up goals, the result of a three-minute, non-releasable penalty for an illegal stick called on Providence's Dean Fraser.

Keogh scored the final three goals of the first quarter and netted his fourth in a row to start the second period and extend the Orange lead to 8-1. Overall, Syracuse outscored Providence 5-0 in the second period to take a 12-1 lead into the locker room. The hosts eventually extended their scoring run to 15-0 and led 16-1 with 3:17 to play in the third quarter.

Labadini stopped the Orange scoring streak with his second goal of the afternoon at 1:28 of the third period, but the game was already well in hand. Syracuse netted six of the game's last seven goals to produce the final score.

In addition to Keogh and Nims, senior Greg Niewieroski and junior Chris Daniello each tallied hat tricks with three goals apiece, and sophomores Jeff Gilbert and Nate Tucker both recorded their first career goals in the fourth quarter.

Syracuse dominated the overall stats, outshooting the Friars, 55-12, for the game. The Orange also won 17 of the game's 27 faceoffs. Six players attempted draws for Syracuse. Sophomore Josh Knight led the way for the Orange, winning 7-of-9 (.778).

Syracuse returns to action on Friday, Feb. 20 when its hosts Army at 7 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. The game will be televised live on Time Warner Sports 26 in Syracuse.

Game Notes: Syracuse's 19-goal win Sunday marked the largest margin of victory for the Orange since it defeated Michigan State by 20 (27-7) on March 10, 1993 … Sunday's victory was SU's 13th consecutive season-opening win and the game marked the earliest season opener in school history … The Orange is 11-0 in season openers under head coach John Desko … In addition to Desko and Keogh, junior close defenseman Matt Tierney earned his first career start Sunday … Sophomore transfer John Lade also started at close defense in his Syracuse debut.