Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse Routs UAlbany 20-7

The last time Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse matched up with UAlbany, it was an ugly and rainy game in which SU fell 14-12. However, this time around it was a monsoon, but not with the rain above, but by how many goals went into the back of the net. 

The Orange took down the Great Danes 20-7 inside the JMA Wireless Dome Friday night. It was a far cry from the seven goal performance Syracuse managed against Vermont last weekend. 

Head Coach Gary Gait says he saw a change in the team’s behavior in the week leading up to the game. 

“I just thought it was a much better effort from our team top to bottom,” Coach Gait said postgame. “We are a completely different team this year. The difference was we learned from our mistakes. It was a nice turnover from one week to the next.” 

A few players made sure to mention after the game that finishing chances was at the top of their minds all week. 

“Our main focus was finishing the ball,” midfielder Jackson Birtwistle noted.

“It wasn’t just finishing, but also running really hard,” midfielder Cole Kirst added. “I think the coaches did a really good job of emphasizing through our drills to a point and springing right off of it and dodging super hard. We had it in the back of our head that when we get on the field that we are going as hard as you can. That really helped.” 

No one was more important to the Orange’s offensive turnaround today than Joey Spallina. After recording 15 shots and only 1 goal against Vermont last Saturday, he followed that up by having 5 goals while only shooting 7 shots.

Spallina and company will look to keep their hot streak going as they take Holy Cross this Sunday.