Staats Stars as Syracuse Tops Big Red

Randy Staats scores - photo by Michael Silver

By Mason Walling Ithaca, N.Y. (Newhouse Sports Media Center)—

Despite giving up an early 4-1 lead, the Syracuse men’s lacrosse team emerged victorious against area rival Cornell Tuesday night by a score of 14-9.

It was evident from the beginning that this was a rivalry game due to the slow pace at which both teams started, feeling one another out with several loose back and forth possessions.  Henry Schoonmaker struck first for the Orange, scoring two goals in the first eight minutes of the game to put his team up 2-0.

After John Hogan put Cornell on the scoreboard, Syracuse’s Kevin Rice netted two goals giving the Orange a 4-1 advantage.  But Cornell proceeded to rattle off four goals in a row, two by Dan Lintner and one apiece from Connor Buczek and Joe Paoletta, giving the Big Red a 5-4 lead.

The Orange retaliated with goals by Billy Ward and Hakeem Lecky to go into the half up 6-5. 


Orange dominates second half


The second half offensive assault was led by Junior Randy Staats, who stole the show by scoring five goals in a row for the Orange.  On one possession, he single handedly stole the ball from a Cornell defender and rifled it past the goal keeper within seconds.  Staats finished with a career-best nine points total on five goals and four assists.  

“I just kind of want to help the team win and contribute in any way I can,” Staats said.  Staats breakout game was even more improbable considering that he is still nursing an injury and didn't even know that he would be starting until moments before the team left the locker room.  Kevin Rice was able to find his groove as well, adding three goals and four assists.  

The Orange tallied four goals in the third and four more in the fourth to close the game out 14-9.  After falling to Cornell in 2011 and 2012, Syracuse has now beaten the Big Red in two straight. 

Aside from the standout individual performances, Head Coach John Desko commended the team for its solid defensive pressure and ability to win face-offs.  “It was really a complete team effort today on our part,” Desko said after the game. 

The two teams had very similar statistics in turnovers, saves, ground balls, and shots on goal.  One of the only clear advantages that Syracuse had over Cornell was the ability to convert penalties into points.  Cornell had five chances to score while playing up an extra man and could not cash in once, whereas Syracuse scored on two of its three opportunities.

After starting the season with nine consecutive wins, Cornell has now lost two in a row, both at Schoellkopf Field.  The two losses were by the same score, 14-9, at the hands of Harvard and Syracuse.


Tar Heels next for Syracuse

The Orange returns to the Carrier Dome to face fourth ranked North Carolina this Saturday, April 12, in a crucial game in determining whether it will qualify for the ACC tournament. Syracuse is 1-3 in the ACC.