Maryland Remains Syracuse’s Kryptonite in Another Tough Loss

Jimmy McCool lets up a goal in the last minute of the 4th.
Syracuse falls to Maryland in NCAA semi final game. Photo Credit: Ian Rempe/TheNewsHouse.com

At the start of this season, the lacrosse community and Syracuse fans started to ask a question: Is Syracuse back? This refers to the dynasty Syracuse was in the late 1980s, early ’90s, and 2000s.

The Orange were back in the Final Four for the first time since 2013 and were looking to punch their ticket to the championship game on Memorial Day. That trip got cut short as they lost to No. 3 Maryland, 14-8—a team they also lost to early in the regular season, 11-7.

“We dug the hole a little too big, especially against a team that controls the ball and makes it really difficult to come back,” said Gait.

Both of those games for the Orange had similar outcomes due to the same problem: shot selection and placement.

Kelly gets his second of the game to make it 6-1 with 7:04 left in the first half.
Kelly gets his second of the game to make it 6-1 with 7:04 left in the first half. Photo Credit: Ian Rempe/TheNewsHouse.com

In the regular season contest, Syracuse had 41 shots with just 19 on goal. In the semifinal game, the Orange had 39 shots with 22 on goal. While the disparity of shots on goal was not as drastic in the semifinal matchup, it was too little, too late, as the number of shots increased in the second half. But Maryland goalie Logan McNaney had nine saves to combat Syracuse’s 15 shots on cage in that half.

While everything else in the stat book felt even, that was the tipping point of the game.

“We played the first half like it was the first time we’ve been here in 12 years,” said coach Garry Gait. “I give my guys a ton of credit, they never quit, and they didn’t quit today, and they played till the last minute.”

Eric Spanos #7 with a 4 goal game leads Maryland to the victory.
Eric Spanos #7 with a 4 goal game leads Maryland to the victory. Photo Credit: Ian Rempe/TheNewsHouse.com

Maryland tallied a total of 49 shots, with 26 on goal, and when they were on goal, they were well-placed. Going on an eight-goal run in the first half, with Eric Spanos leading the Terps with four goals on the game.

This is now Syracuse’s eighth consecutive loss to Maryland. It also means head coach Jon Tillman remains undefeated against the Orange in his career, proving to be Syracuse’s Achilles’ heel over the years.

“The guys weren’t just happy getting here,” said Gait. “They wanted to have a chance to play on Memorial Day, and they believe they can do it.”

The Orange will need to crack the code on the Terps next season.