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Photo by Ben Bisang – BenBisangMedia

Syracuse men’s lacrosse has hit a turbulent stretch to start the season. After back to back losses to #4 Harvard and #3 Princeton, the Orange find themselves at a crossroads. With offensive inconsistencies the Orange have struggled to get into a rhythm, however with a 4 point comeback led by Joey Spallina against Penn, the Orange have gotten a chance to reset before facing Johns Hopkins on March 7th at 1pm.

The Orange have struggled to find consistency on the offensive side over the past few weeks. Star attack Joey Spallina, while key to the team’s success, has been less dominant against elite opponents, forcing secondary scorers to step up. Midfielder Micheal Leo and attackman Finn Thompson have stepped up in clutch moments for the Orange, including an overtime game winner for Micheal Leo against Penn. The team still faces challenges in transition and generating clean possessions, as turnovers and stalled offensive sets plagued them against Harvard and Princeton. To compete with a talented Hopkins squad, the Orange will need Spallina to lead the way, but also have secondary scorers and strong midfield play to maintain momentum.

Defensively, the Orange will need to tighten up against a disciplined Hopkins offense. Goalie Jimmy McCool has been solid at times, keeping the team in games with key saves. But the back line is that the defense will need to communicate effectively and limit transition opportunities for Hopkins. This game isn’t just another mark on the schedule, it is a measuring stick for the orange as they aim to rebound from previous losses and prove themselves as contenders for the National Championship. A strong performance could bring back the confidence and momentum to stabilize the season, while another setback would raise even more concerns about offensive inconsistencies, and how good this Orange squad really is. Fans should expect a hard fought matchup, standout plays, and pivotal moments that could really decide the trajectory of Syracuse’s season.