The No. 5 Syracuse men’s lacrosse team won its opening game against Siena, 19-6, on Saturday, getting its season off to a perfect start. Syracuse has opened its season against Siena four years in a row and has won all four times.
The Orange dominated the game and outscored Siena in all four periods. Back in the comfort of the Carrier Dome after a long off-season, Syracuse head coach John Desko [10]was pleased with the way his team performed.
“I am happy with how we played today,” Desko said. “At least today we took care of what we could take care of, and as the season goes on we are going to face different opponents, and we have to keep adjusting and we will learn from different opponents going forward.”
After losing to Maryland in the NCAA Tournament last season, Syracuse started out the 2017 season strong, taking a 7-3 lead by the end of the first period. Syracuse outshot Siena,16-5, and forced five saves in the first period.
The second period saw the goal of the game and possibly the season, after Syracuse junior midfielder Brendan Bomberry [11]scored with an amazing behind-the-back shot to beat Siena goalie Aaron Lewis. The University of Denver transfer scored the second of his four goals after catching it off a ricocheted shot, immediately flipping it around his back to beat the stunned goalie.
“I think it’s something I learned in the backyard, playing and having fun with my little brothers,” Bomberry said after the game. "We do that every single day, so it was just instincts for me.”
Things got interesting early in the second period after Orange midfielder Nick Mariano [12] took a hard foul from Lewis. Lewis was given a one-minute penalty, forcing him out of the game. Mariano proceeded to score a few seconds later, and pointed at Lewis on the Siena sidelines.
Syracuse continued to control the game, taking an 11-3 lead into the half, all while not giving up any goals in the second period. Syracuse outshot Siena 33-9 and forced Siena into 13 saves in the first-half alone.
Syracuse and Siena started the third slowly, with each team failing to score in the first 6 minutes before Mariano netted a goal with eight minutes left. The third period saw both teams penalized with unnecessary roughness for tough hits. Despite the tense play, Syracuse increased their hold over the game, totaling over 40 shots and 35 ground balls through the first three quarter.
Syracuse put away the game by the time the fourth quarter started, and both teams emptied their benches to get other players experience. Syracuse finished with 54 shots to Siena’s 26 and won 50 ground balls compared to Siena’s 20.
Syracuse will return to action [13] against No. 12 Albany on Saturday. First face-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Carrier Dome.
Injury Notes
Syracuse goalie Evan Molloy [14] left the game in the second half with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. Desko said it was a minor injury and that Molloy could have returned to the game if he was needed.
Desko said that it was probably unlikely that Syracuse defender and returning starter Nick Mellen [15] will be available for the next game.
“We’re monitoring that right now,” Desko said. “I think it’s probably unlikely to see him next week.”
