Syracuse Snaps Four Game Losing Streak With Win at Hofstra

The Orange's men's lacrosse team got back into the win column.

HEMPSTEAD, NY - On a chilly and windy evening on Long Island, the Orange won their first away game of the season with a victory over Hofstra University, 16-8. A massive confidence booster for Gary Gait’s squad, this is a must-win for the team as they prepare for the back half of the season.

“I thought our guys responded well to the energy that Hofstra brought,” Gait said of the team’s performance. “They came to compete, they showed up, jumped on us, and our guys responded well. When we needed plays made, we made them, with Will Mark in the goal and the attack on the other end.”

After a slow opening to the game and a 3-0 run by the Pride to open up the game, the Orange responded with three goals of their own and took the lead on a Saam Olexo rocket from midfield at the buzzer, giving Syracuse the lead going into the second period and firing up the bench. After that goal, the defense shut out Hofstra in the second period and stayed in control of the game the rest of the way.

Owen Hiltz scored a hat trick of both goals and assists, with Michael Leo and Finn Thomson having solid two-goal performances with him. On the defensive end, the Orange performed perhaps their best so far this season, forcing six of Hofstra’s 20 turnovers and Will Mark saving 13 shots on eight goals allowed.

Gait has now experienced frigid temperatures two games in a row on Long Island, with the most recent trip being a women’s game two years ago against Stony Brook. For their first outdoor game since Maryland and first outdoor win since March 19 of 2022, the cold was not a factor for the Orange.

This was also freshman Joey Spallina’s homecoming game, a Mount Sinai native who grew up watching the PLL’s New York Lizards in the same stadium, who his father Joe coached from 2012 to 2018. The 22 was visible everywhere in the stands, and he proved himself in front of his home area with four goals and three assists.

“It really kind of sunk in after that first goal, hearing the distinctive voice of the announcer for the Lizards games,” Spallina said. “I’m used to him saying Paul’s name, Rob, and all those guys on the team, and hearing him say my name was pretty cool.”

Syracuse improves to 4-4 and prepares to host St. Bonaventure on Tuesday, March 21, in the first ever matchup between those programs. Hofstra falls to 2-5 and will host Fairfield on Saturday, March 18, their first conference matchup in the CAA.

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