Syracuse men’s lacrosse takes first ever game against Stony Brook 17-9

Syracuse men's lacrosse takes first ever game against Stony Brook 17-9

The Seawolves' nine goals is the lowest number by a Syracuse opponent this season, while eight different Orange players scored in the win.
Published: March 12, 2021
Mar 12, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange attackman Owen Hiltz (77) and midfielder Tucker Dordevic (23) celebrate a goal against the Stony Brook Seawolves during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes
Syracuse Orange attacker Owen Hiltz (77) and midfielder Tucker Dordevic (23) celebrate a goal against the Stony Brook Seawolves during the first half at the Carrier Dome.

In Syracuse’s first matchup in program history with in-state opponent Stony Brook, it was the Orange that came out on top, crushing the Seawolves 17-9.

Syracuse men’s lacrosse entered Friday’s game as the favorite, and as one of the top teams in the nation; the Orange have the media votes to prove it, sitting at No. 6 on Inside Lacrosse’s weekly ranking.

Stony Brook went down early, with Syracuse running up a 4-1 score in the first quarter. Stephen Rehfuss opened scoring early, giving the Orange a 1-0 lead before half a minute had ticked off the clock. Rehfuss found the back of the net again before the end of the quarter, and Peter Dearth and Chase Scanlan each added a goal. Dearth’s goal was his first of season, coming off a rocket of a shot from yards out.

The Seawolves looked to narrow the gap in the second quarter, but it didn’t look good in the opening minute. Owen Hiltz got the ball past Anthony Palma for Syracuse’s fifth goal of the game, netting another point on the scoreboard just 29 seconds into the quarter – the exact amount of time it took Rehfuss to score the first goal of the afternoon.

But Stony Brook surged, scoring three unanswered goals – two from Cory VanGinhoven – to move within one goal. A 5-4 lead wasn’t a comfortable spot for the Orange, and Tucker Dordevic sent a low shot past a defender and under Palma to get SU back on the board.

Before the end of the first half, Jamie Trimboli, Hiltz and Dordevic would each score a goal to give Syracuse a 9-4 lead through 30 minutes of play. Hiltz, Rehfuss and Scanlan all finished the first half with three points, with Scanlan’s extra two coming from assists.

Mar 12, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange attackman Chase Scanlan (22) takes a back-hand shot on Stony Brook Seawolves goalie Anthony Palma (33) during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes
Syracuse Orange attacker Chase Scanlan (22) takes a back-hand shot on Stony Brook Seawolves goalie Anthony Palma (33) during the first half at the Carrier Dome.

Rehfuss started the second half the same way he started the first: with a goal. Hilz picked up the ground ball and fed it to Rehfuss, who sent a jumping shot over Palma’s shoulders to put Syracuse up 10-4.

Brendan Curry joined the scoreboard less than three minutes into the third, scoring off a strong shot from around the 20-yard line. Last season’s first team All-American added another assist less than a minute later, feeding Hiltz the ball before he fired a shot from deep for the hat trick.

Syracuse went on a scoring spree, dominating offensive play for most of the third quarter. The Orange scored nine consecutive goals between the second and third quarters to run up a 14-4 lead and held the Seawolves scoreless for over 19 minutes.

Stony Brook fought hard to get more goals, but one of the best goalies in the nation, Drake Porter, stood in their way. As the Orange continued scoring, Porter stopped five straight shots on goal. The Seawolves got one more goal toward the end of third, but they needed a man-advantage to get past the Orange. Before the end of the quarter, Curry added another goal, this time off a falling shot that squeaked over the line, and Dordevic completed his hattrick.

The Orange started the final quarter a man-up, after Stony Brook’s Danny Cassidy was called for slashing, and against a new goalie, with Kyle Hebert taking over in net for the Seawolves. Lucas Quinn scored early to move Syracuse even further away from the Seawolves. With an even bigger goal gap, head coach John Desko replaced Porter with redshirt freshman Shahe Katchadurian with 11:50 remaining.

Porter made 11 saves on 16 shots and finished his game with a .688 save percentage. He led the nation entering Friday’s game in saves per game with 16.

Katchadurian was tested, letting in two goals before the halfway mark of the final frame, but he also made a huge save from up close. Despite letting in some goals, Katchadurian made an impression, making another big stick save and leaving the crease to play the ball.

The Seawolves scored four unanswered goals, including two from Mike McMahon, to close out the game, but it was too little too late. Syracuse walked away with an easy 17-9 win.

Hiltz finished with a team-high four goals and was one of two plays to finish with five points. Curry also had five points, his coming from two goals and three assists. Scanlan and Rehfuss were close behind with four points apiece.

A crucial player in Syracuse’s victory was faceoff specialist Jakob Phaup. He won 11-15 in the first half and finished the game going 16-25, keeping the ball in Syracuse sticks for the majority of the game.

While Stony Brook had the 47-45 edge on shots, Syracuse outshot the Seawolves 30-23 in shots on goal. The Orange also picked up 41 ground balls to Stonybrook’s 31.

With Hofstra on pause due to COVID protocols, it looks like Syracuse’s next game will be against No. 1 Duke in North Carolina on Thursday, March 25 at 7 p.m.