Harvard ends century-long drought against Syracuse
Harvard ends century-long drought against Syracuse
Syracuse surrendered a late lead as Harvard sealed its first win over the Orange in over 100 years.
Before the game, Syracuse head coach Gary Gait mentioned that the Orange had consistently been one of the nation’s most efficient and well-rounded teams. Seeking to recover from a 11-7 defeat to powerhouse Maryland, No. 6 Syracuse aimed to restore its confidence against No. 15 Harvard in an early-season matchup.
Despite dominating the faceoff battle by winning 28 out of 31 and outshooting Harvard 50 to 40, Syracuse lost to the Crimson 15-14 at the JMA Wireless Dome. This defeat marked the Orange’s first loss to Harvard since 1919.
“The Dome is one of the hardest places to play,” Harvard head coach Gerry Byrne said. “I think it’s a validation of the progress that our program is making and being able to survive the hunger, the pride, and the tradition of Syracuse.”
Fast Start for Syracuse
The first half was closely contested, with Syracuse holding a slim lead over Harvard’s aggressive attack.
The Orange started strong, winning the opening faceoff with John Mullen and setting an aggressive pace. Just 45 seconds into the game, attackman Owen Hiltz sparked the offense with a quick slash before making a no-look pass to the right post for a rapid back-to-back score, putting Syracuse ahead 2-0.
Shortly afterward, a perfectly executed triangle play led Hiltz to pass the ball to Joey Spallina, who skillfully located Finn Thomson cutting into the crease. With a confident finish, Thomson extended the lead to 3-0.
Harvard, however, refused to back down. Early in the second quarter, Jack Speidell stunned the crowd with a no-look goal from behind the net, signaling Harvard’s determination to fight back. In response, Hiltz navigated the defense again to deliver a perfectly timed pass to Spallina, who scored to increase the lead to 7-4.
The Crimson kept chipping away at the lead. A determined effort from No. 23 resulted in a powerful shot from the left post, narrowing the deficit to 8-5. Andrew Perry fired a 10-yard shot into the top right corner shortly after, making it 8-6.
Harvard increased the pressure, resulting in a Syracuse turnover that led to a goal by John Aurandt. The momentum shifted as Syracuse struggled to create quality chances against relentless defensive pressure. However, Hiltz completed his hat trick with a long-range shot, and Michael Leo added another, giving Syracuse a 10-8 lead at halftime.
Harvard Takes Control
Harvard intensified its defensive efforts as the second half commenced, disrupting Syracuse’s rhythm. Although the Orange had occasional offensive surges, they found it challenging to maintain control as the Crimson mounted a comeback.
Harvard pressed relentlessly, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on Syracuse’s mistakes. By the end of the third quarter, the game was tied at 12-12.
“When we made a mistake, they capitalized,” Gait said. “We had opportunities to capitalize, and we didn’t.”
The Crimson took their first lead early in the fourth quarter when Teddy Malone slipped a tricky shot past Syracuse goalie Michael Ippoliti. Harvard maintained its patient, controlled offense, extending the lead to 15-13 with goals from Miles Botkiss and Sam King.
Meanwhile, Syracuse struggled to create quality chances. The Orange went seven minutes without scoring as Harvard tightened its defensive coverage around the crease.
In the last three minutes, Hiltz ignited Syracuse’s hopes with a late goal, cutting the deficit to one. Syracuse had a final chance after Mullen’s crucial faceoff win, but a turnover during a fast break and Harvard’s strong defense sealed the outcome. The Orange lost by one in a tough matchup.
Even though it’s still February and numerous games lie ahead, Gait emphasized Syracuse’s need to regroup. On Mar. 1, the Orange will travel to Salt Lake City to face Utah.
“You’ve got to look at the next game as a championship opportunity,” Gait said. “Every single game you play this year is incredibly important. So, we’ve put ourselves in a situation where we need to be successful moving forward.”