'Cuse Falters in Opener

Friday, February 8

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 PM

Syracuse University

Colgate

2/8/2019 9:59:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

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It wasn't the opener the No. 11 Syracuse men's lacrosse team (0-1) had hoped for, falling 12-9 in their season opener to Colgate.

Drake Porter was phenomenal in net for 'Cuse, making 15 saves in his first collegiate start, but the slow offensive start was too much to overcome. Brendan Curry and Nate Solomon each netted a hat trick, while Brett Kennedy, David Lipka, and Andrew Helmer each added a goal to the Orange tally.

"Hats off to Colgate, they played really well today" said head coach John Dzeko. "We're going to watch film tomorrow, learn from our mistakes, and try to get better every day."

The Orange pulled to within a goal three different times in the game, including with under eight minutes to play, but were never able to get over the hump and knot things up.

The game started with Colgate jumping out to a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter. However, the Orange worked their way back to within one with a pair of goals in the final-56 seconds of the frame. Finishing the final minute strong, Curry scored on an assist from Jamie Trimboli after a Colgate penalty. Less than a minute later, Andrew Helmer found the back of the net for his first-collegiate goal.

The Raiders started off the second with another three-goal run, with Nicky Petkevich, Griffin Brown and Sam Cleveland adding tallies. Petkevich led the way with four goals on the day for Colgate.

David Lipka notched his first goal of the year with eight minutes to go before halftime to send the teams to the locker room with Colgate leading 6-3.

Colgate scored off a rebound with 11:08 to go in the third quarter to open the second half, but the Orange came roaring back in the frame. Nate Solomon scored twice in a row on assists from
Lipka and Curry, respectively, before Curry's alley-dodge and score pulled Syracuse to within one at 7-6.

Duncan Hoskins scored one of his three for the Raiders before Petkevich opened another three-goal lead with 12:22 left.

Brett Kennedy scored by taking it all the way to the cage after a turnover, and Solomon and Curry would notch one more each, but the Raiders managed to run out the clock and earn the season-opening win.

Colgate out-shot Syracuse 42-36 on the day and won the ground battle as well 31-25. The Raiders were also successful on 18-21 clears, while the Orange struggled, clearing 15-of-20 chances.

Jakob Phaup had a strong day at the X, winning 8-of-13 faceoffs.

Syracuse will look to rebound Saturday Feb. 16 against Albany at 4 p.m. in the Dome.

GAME NOTES: It was Syracuse's first loss to Colgate since the 2008 season, when the Orange would go on to win the NCAA Championship ... Curry's four and three goals were both career highs ... Andrew Helmer's goal was the first of his collegiate career ... This is the first season-opening loss since 2013, but there's hope for the Orange. Since 1983, Syracuse has lost the season opener on five occasions. Each time, the team has made the Final Four, and twice won the NCAA Championship. Most recently, the team lost the 2013 opener and played in the NCAA title game.