No. 4 Maryland Nips No. 7/5 Syracuse In OT

Saturday, February 17

Syracuse, N.Y.

6 p.m.

Syracuse University

3-1

Maryland

3-0

Maryland

Syracuse

2/17/2024 8:48:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – It was a heavyweight battle in the JMA Wireless Dome as the No. 7/5 Syracuse men's lacrosse team went blow-for-blow with No. 4 Maryland (3-0), but fell short in overtime, 13-12.

Christian Mulé tied the game for Syracuse (3-1) at 12-12 with 1:05 to go and sent the game into overtime. A diving shot from Michael Leo hit the back of the net in the extra period, but it was disallowed as he was ruled in the crease. Maryland took possession and George Stamos launched it in with 57 seconds left in overtime to give the Terrapins the win.

There were eight instances of the score knotted throughout the game, including four times in the fourth quarter. Neither side led by more than three goals for the entirety of the contest.

Luke Rhoa contributed a career-high four goals to lead the Orange. Michael Leo was close behind him with three goals. Joey Spallina was the other Syracuse performer to have a multi-point day with one goal and two assists.

How it Happened

The Orange got the first point of the game as Rhoa slotted it by the keeper off a dish from Spallina 3:03 into the contest.
Maryland was next on the board after Braden Erksa netted one with 8:57 left in the first quarter. Syracuse quickly responded as Mason Kohn won the faceoff and took it straight to the cage for his third goal of the season.
The Terrapins scored four consecutive goals to finish out the first period and take the largest lead of the affair, 5-2.
The second quarter saw two goals, both from Syracuse's Leo. The latter score came on an extra man opportunity and was the final goal of the first half.
Erksa got his second goal of the game to open up the second half and give Maryland a 6-4 advantage at the 12:32 mark.
Syracuse scored the next three to go in front, 7-6, with five minutes left in the third period. The lead was the Orange's first since 6:26 into the game, when Syracuse led 2-1. Rhoa, Spallina and Sam English each scored during the run.
The score was leveled at 7-7 after Koras netted one for the Terrapins. Jackson Birtwistle put one past the keeper off a feed from Spallina with 1:29 to go in the third quarter, putting the Orange back in front.
The fourth quarter opened with Erksa's third goal of the outing, evening the score at 8-8 with 13:53 remaining. After Rhoa netted his third and took the lead for the Orange, Erksa converted another to knot the score at 9-9.
Syracuse powered to a two-goal lead with 10:21 to go after Leo got his third and Rhoa got his fourth.
Maryland held the Orange without a goal for a 10:16-span and scored three straight during Syracuse's drought take the advantage, 12-11. Mulé caught a feed from Owen Hiltz and tossed it in the back of the net to equalize the score and send the game into overtime.
Luke Wierman won the faceoff to begin the extra period. Carter Rice caused a Terrapin turnover and allowed the Orange to take a few shots. Leo got a good look with 1:04 left that went into the net, but it was ruled no goal by the officials as he fell into the crease. Maryland successfully cleared and Stamos shot from 15 yards out to give the Terrapins the victory.

Behind the Numbers

Both sides found success on clears. Syracuse went 16-of-18 (.889) and Maryland finished 19-of-21 (.905).
The Orange have won seven of their last ten overtime games at home.
Leo's three goals tonight ties his career-best, which he also had against Colgate this season on February 5. He has scored at least one goal in 10 consecutive games.
With his assist tonight, Owen Hiltz has tallied a point 32 straight games. He now has 117 total points during the streak.
Mulé has scored at least one goal in all four of the Orange's games this season. He has contributed at least one point in 21 consecutive games.
After Maryland scored four straight to end the first quarter, it was held without any points for a 20:12-span, including the entire second quarter.
Syracuse's drought of 20:44 between the first and second quarter was the longest span without a goal this season. The Orange had not gone 15 minutes without a goal prior to tonight.

Up Next
The Orange will be back in the JMA Wireless Dome for a midday match up against Utah on Wednesday, February 21. Tickets for Wednesday's noon game can be found at cuse.com/tickets