Syracuse celebrated its past and present Sunday afternoon at the Carrier Dome, honoring the names that built a college lacrosse dynasty and produced multiple national titles. Coach Gary Gait’s jersey went into the rafters, and Roy Simmons Jr. entered the school’s Ring of Honor at halftime.
In Syracuse, the energy is palpable. There’s hope that Gait can build another college lacrosse dynasty at his alma mater, but the Orange aren’t the powerhouse they were when he wore No. 22. In 2022, others own the national spotlight.
On Sunday, No. 2 Maryland made the trip to the Carrier Dome to continue a torrid start its torrid start to the spring, and fans got a glimpse at just how much talent the Terps have — and just how close No. 11 Syracuse might be to the top of college lacrosse.
Behind a stingy defense and spot shooting from star Logan Wisnauskas, Maryland jumped out to an early lead and held off Syracuse for a 14-10 victory. Wisnauskas led the Terps with four goals, overshadowing a five-goal effort from Syracuse’s Tucker Dordevic.
Maryland’s offense proved an early challenge for Syracuse despite four turnovers in the first quarter. Wisnauskas hammered home two straight goals in the final six minutes of the period to give the Terps a 4-0 lead entering the second quarter.
When it looked as if Maryland had an advantage all over the field, the Syracuse offense found its groove. Lucas Quinn scored the team’s first goal, and he was followed by Dordevic less than a minute later. After Maryland completed a coast-to-coast transition goal with 3:40 left in the quarter, Dordevic and Quinn took over once again.
Let’s check in on @CuseMLAX
— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) February 20, 2022
Quinn gets a hat trick and makes it 7-6 going into half. pic.twitter.com/0PpZD7S82n
Dordevic dodged and fired home his second goal, followed by an impressive top-shelf shot and another goal from X to cut the Syracuse deficit to 7-6 just seconds before halftime. The Orange won seven of 10 faceoffs in the second quarter.
Maryland controlled momentum throughout the third quarter, but three saves from Bobby Gavin allowed Syracuse to stay within striking distance. With the Terps leading 9-6, the Orange’s quick passing and timely shooting translated into goals from Jackson Birtwistle and Mikey Berkman — the latter coming with two seconds left in the quarter.
The Terps simply had an answer every time the Orange mounted a comeback. Eric Malever scored 14 seconds into the third quarter, and Jonathan Donville made it 12-8 two minutes later. Dordevic continued to command the Syracuse offense, adding two more goals, but the Terps didn’t allow the Orange to get closer.
JOHNNY DONVILLE BACKHANDER @TerpsMLax goes back up four goals thanks to this beauty. pic.twitter.com/PWlpHFoQ1D
— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) February 20, 2022
Owen Murphy added the exclamation point, making it 14-10 with 2:30 remaining.
In a game that looked even on paper, with a 40-39 shot margin and 31-30 margin on ground balls, Maryland’s quality was enough to stay in front.
NAVY IMPROVES TO 3-1
In the only other Division I men’s game on Sunday, Navy got a hat trick from Henry Tolker in a 9-6 win over Manhattan.
The teams went punch for punch through the first 35 minutes, trading goals until Navy (3-1) managed to score two straight — both on Patrick Skalniak shots assisted by Nick Cole. That 6-5 lead was erased when Kyle Gucwa fed Liam Walshe for Manhattan (1-2).
Skalniak assisted Tolker with nine seconds left in the third quarter, giving the Mids a 7-6 lead. The Mids added two more scores in the fourth, one each from Jon Jarosz and Tolker.