'Cuse Retains Kraus-Simmons

Saturday, March 25

Syracuse, N.Y.

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

6-4

Hobart

4-4

HOBART

Syracuse

3/25/2023 3:04:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A seven-goal run in the first half broke open one of the oldest rivalries in college lacrosse as Syracuse dispatched Hobart by an 18-7 count Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Orange retain the Kraus-Simmons Trophy, named in honor of legendary head coaches Babe Kraus (Hobart) and Roy Simmons Sr. (Syracuse). 'Cuse won its ninth-straight over the Statesman and marked the team's 80th win over Hobart.

Syracuse (6-4) extended its winning streak to three for the second time this season. Joey Spallina led the Orange with six points on four goals and two assists, moving into the top 10 freshman season records in goals, assists, and points along the way. Classmate Michael Leo finished with another hat trick. Will Mark made 14 saves in his 56 minutes of action.

Hobart (4-4) was led by two goals from John Jude Considine while five other Statesmen scored. Hobart was held to just one assist in the contest. Elhanan Wilson made 13 saves and was busy in the second half, stopping nine in the final 30 minutes.

The Orange conclude the home schedule for the regular season next week, taking on a Notre Dame team ranked first in the polls this week. Opening faceoff is set for 2 p.m. on ACC Network. Prior to the game, Syracuse will honor its seniors. Tickets can be purchased at cuse.com/tickets.

How it Happened

Hobart took a quick 2-0 lead with goals from Considine and Bach in the first five minutes, but the Orange responded with a six-goal run across the final eight minutes of the opening stanza. Spallina, Leo twice, Jackson Birtwistle, Owen Hiltz, and Cole Kirst all scored in the run. Hiltz and Finn Thomson added assists as well.
The run was capped at seven as Spallina deposited his 25th goal of the year three and a half minutes into the second on a dish from John Cohen. The goal moved Spallina into the top 10 of freshman single-season scoring, drawing even with Gary Gait.
Hobart halted the 'Cuse run with back-to-back goals from Anthony Dattellas and Bradley Simas, cutting the Orange lead to 7-4.
Syracuse ended the half with another pair of markers from Tyler Cordes and Leo completed the hat trick, sending the Orange to the break up 8-4.
Out of the pause, Syracuse potted another two goals from Kirst and Cohen five minutes in to extend the advantage to 11-4. Hobart ended a 12-minute drought on a goal from Alex Rosa, brother of Syracuse defensive midfielder Max Rosa.
Another four-goal run for the Orange put things out of reach for Hobart with a 15-5 lead. Griffin Cook, Spallina, Thomson, and Birtwistle all scored in succession to finish the third and begin the fourth.
After the Birtwistle man-up goal, Hobart scored twice and 'Cuse scored thrice, bookended by Statesmen John Herlihy and Considine. Spallina got his fourth of the afternoon while Cohen scored his second in as many games, followed by Blake Erlbeck.

Behind the Numbers

Syracuse pumped in more than 15 goals for the fifth time this season, and third-straight game.
Spallina moved into the top 10 of the 'Cuse freshman scoring records. His 27 goals are tied for ninth (Ralph Spinola, 1979), his 19 assists are tied for eighth (Owen Hiltz, 2021), and his 46 points are the 10th most by a Syracuse freshman.
Leo scored the first hat trick of his Syracuse career while logging the fifth multi-goal game of his rookie season.
Cohen logged his second-straight four point performance, tying his career best with his two goals and two assists. On Tuesday, the part-time DJ scored once with three helpers against St. Bonaventure.
Kirst surpassed the 100-point mark in his career, now with 101 on 68 goals and 33 assists. He has 13 goals and seven assists this season with Syracuse.
Hiltz continues to be balanced with 19 goals and 19 assists this season. Birtwistle remains a pure goal scorer with 19 goals in 2023 and 14 last season for 33 in his career.
Syracuse improved to 80-29-2 all-time against Hobart, dating back to the very first Syracuse game in 1916. The Orange have won the last nine meetings while improving to 42-13-1 in home tilts.
The Orange cap the regular season with a 4-0 record against in-state rivals, besting UAlbany, Hofstra, St. Bonaventure, and Hobart. All-time, Syracuse is 424-164-10 against teams from the Empire State.
Syracuse is now 5-3 at home this season, guaranteeing a winning record at home while winning three straight at the JMA Dome for a second time this season.
The Orange defense has been in fine form of late, holding an opponent to fewer than 10 goals for a third-straight game. Syracuse has won its last 73 games when holding foes to single digits.

Up Next for Syracuse

The Orange wrap up the home schedule early this year, playing their final regular season game at the Dome on Saturday.
Syracuse takes on a previously undefeated Notre Dame, ranked first in the polls this week. The Fighting Irish lost to ACC rival Virginia on Saturday.
Game time is set for 2 p.m. on ACC Network. Prior to the contest, Syracuse will honor its seniors with a pregame ceremony.
Tickets can be purchased at cuse.com/tickets