Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

Syracuse men’s lacrosse rolled through its first three games of 2025; an eight-goal victory over Vermont was sandwiched between massive blowouts over Jacksonville and No. 16 Towson. But now, the real season commences for the Orange.

SU’s fourth game of the campaign is a top-10 battle against Maryland, which the Orange haven’t defeated since John Tillman became the Terrapins’ head coach in 2011. Syracuse lost to Maryland in an overtime classic last season, falling 13-12 in the JMA Wireless Dome after a controversial video review went against SU.

This year’s edition of the blue-blood matchup warrants plenty of anticipation. The Orange outscored their first three opponents 55-17 — allowing single-digit goals in each game — but the Terrapins pose the largest threat SU’s faced in the still-fresh season.

Here’s how our beat writers forecast No. 2 Syracuse’s (3-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) matchup against No. 6 Maryland (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) Saturday in College Park:

Cooper Andrews (3-0)
Revenge of the Gait
Syracuse 13, Maryland 11

SU head coach Gary Gait was, in a word, incensed after last year’s fatal finish. He felt the Orange played a complete game against the Terrapins and wasn’t pleased with the NCAA’s then-new replay review rules. Not everything can be blamed on Michael Leo’s misfortune, though. Syracuse started poorly and didn’t get enough from Joey Spallina.

This year’s SU-UMD matchup will go differently. The Orange are built to win this game outright. Nothing significant will come down to a video review. The weather — set to be a hideous, sub-40, rainy afternoon in College Park — won’t faze Syracuse. And Gait will exact his revenge.

Maryland’s major loss of stud long pole Ajax Zappitello will help Spallina find more space this time around. He was held to three points (one goal, two assists) and was a non-factor late in the game. Zappitello was the best defender in college lacrosse last year, and though Maryland returns a solid defensive unit, it’s nowhere near the same without him.

I expect an outing of six or more points for Spallina and for Luke Rhoa to continue his hot streak. SU’s defense will struggle a bit, but Jimmy McCool will hold tough enough to leave SECU Stadium victorious.

Zak Wolf (3-0)
Devil Magic > Talent
Syracuse 8, Maryland 10

Tillman knows how to win lacrosse games. It’s not always the pretty or popular way of doing things, but he’s damn good at it. His teams won’t wow you by playing the sexiest brand of lacrosse, but they’re effective. They always seem to get one or two plays to go their way, even if it brings controversy. Just look at how last season’s matchup between Syracuse and Maryland ended.

But the Orange undoubtedly have more talent than Maryland. I also think SU will have an overall more successful season. Yet I can’t pick Syracuse in this one. Tillman seemingly has Gait’s number, and if there’s anyone who can game plan for as loaded of an offense as Syracuse’s, it’s him. And the weather conditions for this one are going to be less than ideal. The forecast in College Park entails temperatures in the 40s and rain. Considering Syracuse plays in a dome, this gives an advantage to Maryland.

Wet conditions aren’t ideal for SU, who want to move the ball quickly and try risky skip passes. If Syracuse can get good shots off, Maryland still has Logan McNaney in net, who’s seemingly been in college forever. That veteran net presence is something Syracuse lacks in McCool. McNaney has only allowed 13 goals this season with 24 saves. Tilman’s defensive game plan combined with the harsh weather give me reason to believe Maryland will hand Syracuse its first loss of the season. This will be a close one, but in a tight contest, I’ll always go with a Tillman-led team.

Nicholas Alumkal (3-0)
Another nail-biting finish
Syracuse 12, Maryland 11

I won’t comment on how regulation ended in last season’s Syracuse-Maryland matchup. The video review overturning Leo’s would-be game-winner has been dissected more than the Zapruder film. You don’t need me to weigh in. So, I won’t.

With that being said, SU will have some extra motivation to avenge its controversial loss to the Terrapins last season. But this one will again come down to the wire. I expect a back-and-forth game between these two lacrosse heavyweights, where they’ll trade haymakers through scorching shots finding the back of the net.

Syracuse’s defense has stood out so far in three games, particularly holding a very capable Towson offense to just 16 shots on goals and seven goals Monday. While much of the Orange’s roster returned with another year of experience under their belt, the defensive unit has made the most noticeable strides. Their mobility and cutting shooting angles have been commendable.

What’s more, repelling Syracuse’s attack has been nearly impossible so far with its multiple threats. Though I agree with my fellow scribe Zak — Tillman will draw up a disruptive tactic to try to take one or two of SU’s offensive players out of the game — the Orange will have the final say. And it’ll be a word of revenge.

Published on February 12, 2025 at 10:10 pm