Orange Runs Past Virginia, 15-9

Sunday, March 1

Syracuse, NY

12 pm

Syracuse University

4-0, 1-0ACC

Virginia

3-1, 0-1ACC

Virginia

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

3/1/2015 3:51:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

Kevin Rice paces 'Cuse with three goals and four assists

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 2 Syracuse (4-0, 1-0 ACC) posted its third consecutive win against a ranked opponent, beating No. 5 Virginia (3-1, 0-1 ACC) at the Carrier Dome, 15-9, Sunday, March 1.

Syracuse held the Cavaliers scoreless for the first 26:21 of the game and led 8-1 at the half en route to a six-goal triumph in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.

"I think we had a really good effort today, especially at the beginning of the game," SU head coach John Desko said. "I think our team was well-prepared coming in as far as who the personnel were they were going to cover today and what they would like to do offensively and defensively. Just a complete effort to have the score the way it was in the first half. I think any coach in the country would be happy with that effort."

Kevin Rice led the Orange with a season-high seven points on three goals and four assists. Nicky Galasso tied his career high with four goals, including three in the first half, and Dylan Donahue scored three goals to record his third hat trick of the season.

Syracuse dominated the opening quarter, outshooting the Cavaliers 14-4 and winning five out of six faceoffs. Galasso netted consecutive goals to give SU a 2-0 lead before Virginia had an offensive possession. Rice, Paolo Ciferri and Derek DeJoe also scored in the period to make it 5-0 'Cuse after one.

The Orange lead swelled to 7-0 in the second quarter before Greg Coholan scored unassisted to snap the UVa scoring drought with 3:39 to go before intermission. However, Syracuse came right back as Galasso tallied his third goal of the half to push the Orange advantage to 8-1 at the break.

The Cavaliers bagged two of the first three goals in the third quarter, but a 3-0 Orange run that included Tom Grimm's first career goal, extended the SU lead to 12-3.

Virginia outscored Syracuse by a 5-3 margin in the fourth quarter, but never got closer than six goals the rest of the way.

Coholan, Ryan Tucker and Zed Williams each had two goals apiece for Virginia. The Cavaliers also received a tremendous performance from goalie Matt Barrett who made a career-high 20 saves.

Orange goalie Bobby Wardwell tied his season high with 11 saves to improve to 4-0 on the season and 18-6 for his career.

Syracuse dominated the statistics, holding huge advantages in shots (50-31), ground balls (31-18) and faceoffs (20-7). The hosts also converted on five of its seven extra-man opportunities.

Faceoff specialists Ben Williams and Zack Vehar played key roles in Syracuse's possession advantage. Williams won 15-of-19 (.789) faceoffs and collected 12 ground balls, one short of his career high. Vehar claimed 5-of-7 (.714) draws in his first extended action of the season.

Next up for Syracuse is former BIG EAST rival St. John's. The Orange and Red Storm square off on Saturday, March 7 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga. as part of the Cobb County Classic Series. Faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Game Notes: Syracuse has beaten the Cavaliers three straight times in the Carrier Dome and the home team has won each of the last six games in the series … The Orange's six-goal margin of victory is the largest of the series since a 17-10 Virginia win in the 2006 NCAA semifinals … Rice raised his career assists total to 88, passing Liam Banks (86 assists) and JoJo Marasco (87 assists) for ninth in school history … Ciferri's goal was the first of his career … The Orange's five man-up goals were its most since also scoring five against St. John's in the 2012 BIG EAST Tournament title game … Syracuse has not allowed double-digit goals in any game this season and has won 24 straight when keeping its opponent to fewer than 10 goals.