No. 16 Orange Lose at No. 4 Maryland

Saturday, February 18

College Park, Md.

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

3-1

Maryland

2-1

Syracuse

Maryland

2/18/2023 3:17:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – A late rally fell just short for the No. 16 Syracuse University men's lacrosse team. The Orange dropped their first game of the year, 15-12, at No. 4 Maryland Saturday afternoon.

Syracuse (3-1) was led by a hat trick from Jackson Birtwistle on the offensive end. Will Mark made 18 saves in his first road game with the Orange, the most by a 'Cuse netminder since Drake Porter in 2021. Michael Leo chipped in two goals from the midfield while Owen Hiltz finished with three points on one goal and two assists. Michael Leo had his second-straight two-goal game for Syracuse.

Maryland (2-1) was led by a six-point day from Daniel Kelly (4g, 2a). Jack Koras (3g, 1a) and Kyle Long (2g, 2a) contributed four points apiece. Teddy Dolan made nine saves in his first start of the season.

How it Happened

The Terps jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead from Kelly, Koras, and Daniel Maltz, respectively. The Orange stopped the run with the final goal of the opening period as Leo buried his first of the day, getting a back-side feed from Joey Spallina.
Syracuse tagged the Terps for two straight to open the second stanza, tying the game at 3-3 as Owen Hiltz and Luke Rhoa each found the cage.
Maryland went on a quick 4-0 run across two minutes to surge out to a 7-3 lead. Murphy scored twice, while Long and Koras contributed in the middle.
'Cuse picked up back-to-back goals from Griffin Cook and defensive midfielder Jake Murphy, both within 90 seconds of one another.
But Maryland scored twice in the final minute of the quarter, once from Kelly and the second from John Geppert for a 9-5 halftime lead.
Out of the break, Leo scored his second of the day, sprawling out for a big juice goal just 54 seconds into the fresh half.
Cole Kirst continued his scoring streak with a marker at 11:54, but the Terps went on another three-goal run for a 12-7 lead.
Grabbing control, Birtwistle scored back-to-back goals for his third multi-goal game of the year, cutting the deficit back to three at 12-9 with 3:39 to play in the third.
Spallina nabbed his first goal of the afternoon, faking a shot and then going sidearm behind the back, finishing a Hiltz feed, pulling the Orange back within two, 12-10.
Maryland scored back-to-back goals, first from Long and then from Koras to push the Terps lead up to 14-10. Both goals came on the power play. Maryland extended the run to three and a 15-10 lead on a scramble after the ensuing faceoff as Dante Trader Jr. picked up the loose ball and scored.
Alex Simmons had the final goal of the game, converting the second power play goal for the Orange on the day.

Behind the Numbers

Birtwistle put up his second hat trick of the season and third multi-goal game of the season.
Mark made 18 saves, resetting his Syracuse high. He faced 50 total shots from the Terrapins, 33 of which were on cage.
Maryland controlled the faceoff spot, winning 24 of the 31 draws. The home side controlled the ground balls on the day 46-25.
Saam Olexo, Nick Caccamo, and Caden Kol caused two turnovers apiece.
Saturday's contest at SECU Stadium was the first time Syracuse and Maryland met in College Park since the 1997 season and the first regular season showdown at Maryland since 1983.

Up Next for Syracuse

The Orange return to the JMA Wireless Dome for a three-game stand, leading off next Saturday against No. 19 North Carolina.
Game time is set for 3 p.m. on Feb. 25 as ACC Network carries the broadcast.
Syracuse will host its annual Otto's Kid's Club and Youth Lacrosse Day. Tickets can be purchased at Cuse.com/Tickets