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Syracuse outclassed Jacksonville 24-5 to start its season. The Orange got off to a 10-0 start and outscored the Dolphins 10-0 in the third quarter for their third-largest winning margin this century.

Eight players scored at least two goals, led by Michael Leo’s five points on a career-high four goals and Joey Spallina’s five points on three goals and two assists.

Before taking on No. 17 Towson and No. 4 Maryland, SU gets another expected easy test against Vermont in its second game of the season. Vermont has yet to play a game this campaign, but lost 51% of its defensive production from last year, according to Inside Lacrosse, and its starting goaltender.

Here’s how our beat writers think No. 2 Syracuse (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) will perform against Vermont (0-0, 0-0 America East) Friday:

Cooper Andrews (1-0)
A state of irrelevancy
Syracuse 17, Vermont 7

No disrespect whatsoever, but the state of Vermont is largely irrelevant. It’s nestled in the northeast, yet isn’t even one of the 13 Colonies. I’ve never been to Vermont. I have no idea what a Catamount is. And I, like everyone else who’s currently breathing, have never been alive for a time when Syracuse men’s lacrosse lost to Vermont.

I don’t imagine seeing any history being made Friday, or solving my personal Catamount mystery.

The Orange obliterated Jacksonville last Saturday in their season-opener, starting the game on a 10-0 run and ending with a 19-goal win, their largest margin of victory since 2022. I underestimated this team, picking it’d be a tight, two-goal contest. But it’s abundantly clear SU’s junior class of Spallina, Leo, Luke Rhoa and Finn Thomson has taken immense strides. The Catamounts pose no threat. Syracuse’s offense will enjoy the feast.

Meanwhile, SU redshirt sophomore goalie Jimmy McCool impressed in his first career start. He only allowed two goals on a scintillating .750 save rate. He only saved nine shots, but his size and ability to stall close-range opportunities were apparent against Jacksonville. I think McCool will shine again Friday, probably not even seeing the field in the fourth quarter.

Zak Wolf (1-0)
Taking care of business
Syracuse 22, Vermont 6

If Saturday showed us anything, it’s that this Syracuse team isn’t messing around this season. If you’re a lesser opponent, the Orange are going to dispatch you with ease. The Catamounts will be the second team to find that out in 2025. Syracuse is simply too talented of a team to not win this game easily.

Even though Spallina registered five points in the season-opener, he didn’t get involved until the game was already decided. I expect his fingerprints to be all over this one early as he leads Syracuse’s attack. Outside of a few opponents, I can’t see any defense being able to slow the Orange’s offense down. There are simply too many options to shut down at once. If Hiltz is held quiet, Thomson can get hot. If Leo’s downhill dodging is contained, Rhoa is right there to pick up the slack.

Vermont is a respectable program with some NCAA Tournament experience, but it went 8-8 in 2024. It’s hard to tell whether that will change this season, but considering it’s the Catamounts’ first game of the season, it can’t bode well for them. Syracuse already had one tuneup, and this will be the second before an interesting matchup with Towson on Monday.

Nicholas Alumkal (1-0)
Green Mountain gutting
Syracuse 21, Vermont 5

Vermont is known as the Green Mountain State for its picturesque mountain ranges. Aside from that, as my colleague Cooper pointed out, Vermont doesn’t have much going for it — except Ben & Jerry’s. And while its ice cream is undeniably delicious, it’s not exactly fueling the lacrosse team’s success. The Catamounts will need a Mt. Everest-sized climb to defeat Syracuse. It’s not going to happen.

I predicted the biggest margin of victory for the Jacksonville game, but I didn’t expect Syracuse to pummel the Dolphins as much as it did. I’m not making the same mistake this time around. SU will destroy Vermont, capitalizing off its weak defense. The Orange’s experienced backline will hold off the Catamounts, with the exception of a few late goals once SU’s reserves are in the game, like we saw Saturday.

Once the Orange’s lead balloons to 10+ goals, expect the starters to get a break to rest up before they take on two ranked squads next week. In SU’s second match — one of its few easy games — it’ll show why it’s one of the top teams in the country. Get ready for the Catamounts to caterwaul in surrender as Syracuse not only defangs them, but rips them to shreds.

Published on February 5, 2025 at 9:48 pm