#2 Orange Surges Past #16 BU in Season Opener

Sunday, February 1

Syracuse, N.Y.

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

1-0, 0-0

Boston University

0-1, 0-0

Boston U.

Syracuse

2/1/2026 3:07:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score Ticket Information Highlights

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Behind a five-point performance from preseason All-American Joey Spallina and a balanced offensive attack, No. 2 Syracuse opened the 2026 season with a convincing 13-6 victory over No. 16 Boston University on Sunday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Orange (1-0) used a dominant third quarter to pull away from the Terriers (0-1), outscoring Boston University 6-0 in the frame to turn a tight 6-3 halftime lead into a commanding advantage. Spallina led all scorers with three goals and two assists, while sophomore Payton Anderson added two goals and an assist in the win.

Senior midfielders Michael Leo and Luke Rhoa each recorded two goals, providing a strong presence from the midfield. Sophomore Wyatt Hottle also contributed two goals and an assist off the bench. Bogue Hahn and John Mullen rounded out the scoring with a goal apiece for Syracuse.
In goal, senior Jimmy McCool was solid in his season debut, making 12 saves to earn the win. The reigning ACC Goalie of the Year stopped four shots in the second quarter alone to keep Syracuse ahead.

Syracuse's ground ball game was strong throughout, as the Orange collected 31 ground balls compared to Boston University's 26. Junior faceoff specialist John Mullen dominated at the X, winning 14 of his 19 faceoffs (73.6%) while scooping up eight ground balls.

For Boston University, sophomore Timothy Shannehan led the Terriers with two goals. Jimmy Kohr added a goal and an assist, while Ethan Hart, Donald Varnerin, and Peyton Forte each scored once. Goalkeeper Connor Phillips made 12 saves in the loss despite facing a barrage of 48 shots.

How it Happened

Syracuse scored first just 90 seconds into the fresh season as Rhoa dodged the middle and went five-hole on Phillips for the second goal of the year. Hart leveled the game at 1-1 before Joey Spallina and Bogue Hahn found the back of the net for a 3-1 'Cuse lead. Forte scored with 93 seconds left in the first to keep it a one-goal game.
The second quarter saw Syracuse extend its lead to 6-3 before Boston University's Jimmy Kohr scored late to make it 6-4 at halftime. Wyatt Hottle scored twice in the period for the Orange, including one just one second before the break assisted by Anderson.
Syracuse took complete control in the third quarter, scoring six unanswered goals to break open the game. Michael Leo opened the flurry before Spallina and Luke Rhoa extended the lead. John Mullen, Michael Leo (his second), and Payton Anderson rounded out the dominant quarter, giving Syracuse a 12-4 advantage heading into the final frame.
Boston University managed three goals in the third quarter to provide some respectability to the final score, but Spallina's third goal of the afternoon with 3:36 remaining in the fourth quarter capped the scoring for Syracuse.

Behind the Numbers

Syracuse outshot Boston University 48-36, including a 19-5 advantage in the first quarter.
The Orange converted on 26 of 48 shots (54.2%) while holding the Terriers to just 18 shots on goal.
Syracuse won the turnover battle, forcing 18 turnovers while committing just 17.
The Orange were efficient on clears, converting 22 of 25 attempts (88%), while Boston University cleared 23 of 24 (95.8%).
Spallina's five-point opener puts him on pace to challenge Mike Powell's program record of 307 career points. The senior captain enters the season with 246 career points.
Leo's two-goal performance was his 18th career multi-goal game, while Rhoa recorded his 14th.
Anderson's three-point game was his second straight multi-point performance dating back to last season.
The victory marked Syracuse's fourth consecutive season-opening win at the Dome.

Up Next for Syracuse

The Orange continue their three-game home stand on Saturday, February 7 when they host Saint Joseph's for Otto's Kids Club day and the annual laCROSSe Out Cancer game.
Game time is set for noon on ACC Network Extra. The contest will also mark a doubleheader with the Syracuse women's lacrosse team.
Syracuse will then face No. 1 Maryland on Friday, February 13 at 6 p.m. in a rematch of last season's NCAA semifinal at the Dome.
Tickets for all home games are available at cuse.com/lacrosse-tickets.