Orange Roll to Season-Opening Win

Saturday, February 3

Syracuse, N.Y.

4 p.m.

Syracuse University

Vermont

2/3/2024 6:21:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score Highlights Press Conference Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse men's lacrosse team rolled to a season-opening win over Vermont, 20-7, in front of nearly 4,000 fans – the largest crowd for an Orange home opener in 12 years.

Joey Spallina quarterbacked the offensive efforts, leading the team with seven points (3g 4a). Christian Mulé also had a hat trick and added a pair of assists in his 'Cuse (1-0) debut. Luke Rhoa (3g), Jake Stevens (2g, 1a), Owen Hiltz (1g 2a), Michael Leo (1g 1a), Sam English (2g) and Finn Thompson (2a) added muti-point days.

Will Mark made 11 saves on 18 Catamounts' shots that were on net, before being relieved by Jimmy McCool (one save) late in the contest.

The face off combo of Mason Kohn and John Mullen got the Orange 21 of 31 faceoffs in the affair. Kohn led the way with winning 16 of 24.

'Cuse was efficient with its chances and put 29 of its 50 shots on cage. The Orange also controlled the game on the ground with 30 ground balls to Vermont's 18.

How it Happened

The first goal of the game came from Tristan Whitaker on a Vermont man-up possession. The Orange responded by scoring the following three to go ahead, 3-1. Christian Mule got the first one for Syracuse, followed by goals from Rhoa and Spallina. The Catamounts' Carson Boyle capped the first period scoring with a goal to cut their deficit to one, 3-2.
The Orange unloaded on the cage in the second quarter, scoring the next five goals of the contest. Vermont responded with two more before Syracuse converted four consecutive goals to take a 12-4 lead.
The scoring in the first half was closed by Vermont with its fifth goal of the game. The teams went into the break with an SU advantage, 12-5.
11 of the 12 first-half goals from the Orange were assisted. Rhoa and Mule each had a hattrick in the first 30 minutes. Spallina dished three assists in the first two periods.
English opened the second-half scoring. Spallina followed up with his third goal of the game. Jake Stevens contributed a goal in between two from Vermont, making the score 15-7. Syracuse held the Catamounts without any more goals for the rest of the game.
Michael Leo and Hiltz each notched points for the Orange to cap off the third quarter. SU converted three more in the final eight minutes of the game and finished on top, 20-7.

Up Next
Syracuse will have a quick turnaround before their next contest, hosting Colgate (1-0), which upset No. 4 Penn State in its season-opener on Saturday, at 6 p.m. on Monday. Tickets are available at Cuse.com/Tickets.