Syracuse Wins Third Straight, Rolls Past Hobart

The Orange men's lacrosse team was dominant on both ends.

In the 108th all-time meeting between the Syracuse Orange and the Hobart Statesmen, there was more than just a tally in the win column at stake. Since 1986, the winner of the historic matchup gets to bring the Kraus-Simmons Trophy back to their campus.

Syracuse, winner of the last nine matchups coming into this game, would retain the coveted cup, beating Hobart 18-7 in front of the trophy’s namesakes, Hobart legend Babe Kraus and the great Syracuse coach Roy Simmons Sr.

“I thought our players stepped up and did a nice job of competing,” Head Coach Gary Gait said of his team’s performance. “Overall, it was a good day for us.”

Coach Gait put it lightly. Syracuse dominated the vast majority of the game, never allowing Hobart to claw their way back within reach after a 7-0 run in the first and second periods. 10 different players scored in the blowout victory and 11 different players registered points.

Leading the way was freshman sensation Joey Spallina, who found the twine four times. Two of his four scores came courtesy of his signature behind-the-back move. The former number one overall recruit is now up to 27 goals on the season to lead the team and moved into 10th place on Syracuse’s freshman scoring list, passing Gary Gait.

Given the extensive history of Syracuse lacrosse, one would think Spallina would know he was close to making that list. He did not, in fact, know he was creeping up on the milestone.

“I had no idea,” Spallina said. He credited his teammates for helping him be so successful, but insisted there are more important things than a spot on a list. “It’s pretty cool, but we’re just looking forward to Notre Dame now.”

Keeping on the trend of outstanding freshman performances, Michael Leo recorded the first hat trick of his college career. Leo, a midfielder from Seaford, NY, scored three goals on three shots on goal. He said that both his success and that of his team comes with adjustments based on what they’re seeing from their opponent.

“I think we’re just going to take what the defense gives us,” Leo said. “We’re just going to keep on dodging at the short sticks. If they’re not sliding, just go to the goal and shoot.”

Jackson Birtwistle, Cole Kirst and John Cohen also had multiple goals. Notably, prior to today, Cohen had been a “garbage time” player, meaning he was substituted in late in games after his team took a significant lead. Against St. Bonaventure, Cohen scored once and dished out three assists in only about a quarter of action.

Coach Gait must’ve liked what he saw, as Cohen found himself on the field early on against the Statesmen. Needless to say, he did not disappoint. Cohen finished with two goals and two assists for his second straight four-point performance. A sophomore attack out of Carmel, IN, Cohen has now accumulated eight points in four appearances.

Syracuse’s defense suffocated Hobart, prohibiting them from moving the ball effectively and forcing them to take risky shots. Of their seven goals on the day, only one of the Statesmens’ goals was assisted. Additionally, they turned the ball over 19 times, compared to Syracuse’s 10.

Leading the way for Hobart was John Jude Considine. He was the only player on his team that scored multiple goals, as he tallied two goals. John Herlihy, Alex Rosa, Bradley Simas, Anthony Dattellas and Chad Bach all scored once for the Statesmen.

While Syracuse’s defense played a major role in keeping Hobart’s offense at bay, it was Will Mark who was the star of the defensive unit. The graduate transfer recorded 14 saves, allowing just six goals for a 70% save percentage.

On the other end of the field, Elhanan Wilson did the best he could against the speedy, high-power, unselfish Orange offense. Wilson, in 60 minutes of action, had 13 saves, allowing all 18 of Syracuse’s goals. His effort was valiant, but the defense in front of him simply left him under too much pressure.

Syracuse improves to 6-4 on the year with the win, while Hobart will fall to 4-4. The Orange are back in action on April 1, when they will welcome the current no. 1 team in the nation, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, to the JMA Wireless Dome. That matchup will begin at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACC Network.