Orange Dominate Holy Cross to Begin Gait Era

Saturday, February 12

Syracuse, N.Y.

12:30 PM

Syracuse University

Holy Cross

2/12/2022 3:53:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score Highlights Gait Press Conference Phaup Press Conference Seebold Press Conference Berkman Press Conference Photo Gallery

The Gary Gait era started with a dominant game start to finish, as the Syracuse men's lacrosse team moved to 1-0 in a 28-5 trouncing of Holy Cross (0-2).

A 9-0 first quarter set the tone for the contest, with 'Cuse holding a 19-3 lead at the break before the team began subbing freely.

Owen Seebold (5-1), Tucker Dordevic (5-1), Brendan Curry (4-2) and Mikey Berkman (3-2) each notched over five points in the game, while the SU defense only allowed three goals in even-strength situations. Jakob Phaup won 15-of-18 faceoffs to dominate the possession battle as well.

"It's been a long year after taking this job and preparing this team to finally have a game," Gait said. "I'm very happy this team showed up and did what we asked, which was to purely play as a team with relentless effort. They never stopped. They gave it everything they had, had great energy and gave us a great win to start the season. We can put this one behind us now and focus on what's ahead."

Bobby Gavin earned the start in net, making seven saves in 30 minutes of action and allowing just a pair of goals. Harrison Thompson made two saves and allowed just two goals in his time in the second half.

The offensive was the most goals in a game since they also scored 28 against Hobart in 1994.

Filthy. pic.twitter.com/m80hiCH0v0
— Syracuse Men's Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX) February 12, 2022

Pete Fiorini notched the first goal of the game on a feed from Berkman, beginning a cascade of nine goals in the opening period. Curry scored four in the opening frame.

16 of the 28 goals were assisted, and the Orange shot over 50-percent in an extremely efficient outing.

Tyler Cordes, Matteo Corsi, Berkman, Fiorini, Jack Savage and Blake Erlbeck all scored their first collegiat goals in the win.

The game was over after the first, with Syracuse rolling in its opener to setup a battle with No. 2 Maryland (2-0) in the Dome next Sunday. Gait will have his jersey retired prior to faceoff, with legendary head coach Roy Simmons Jr. to be honored at halftime. It'll be a double-header with the 'Cuse women, who host Stony Brook at 4 p.m. and will retire Katie Rowan's jersey.

Fans can get tickets to next week's Lacrosse Legends Day in the Dome at Cuse.com/Tickets.

Game Notes: Gary Gait moved to a perfect 15-0 in his career (men's and women's) in season openers as head coach ... Syracuse's 28 goals were the most in 28 years, and two shy of the program record (30), which has been accomplished twice ... Tyler Cordes and Mikey Berkman each made their first collegiate start in the win ... It was the program's 925th victory, which is second all-time to Johns Hopkins in NCAA Division I history ... Syracuse improved to 82-21 in season openers.