No. 2 Syracuse Holds Off No. 11 Army 12-9 in the Orange's Biggest Test Yet

Story by Robin Deehan
Photo by Lauren Williams

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The No. 2 Syracuse men’s lacrosse team fought its way to a 12-9 victory over No. 11 Army Sunday night at the Carrier Dome.

“We had to work hard for all of our shots, thank goodness Dylan [Donahue] was shooting so well tonight, that really helped our cause,” Syracuse head coach John Desko said.  “We went against a good Army team, had to work for everything, and I think we come out as a better lacrosse team at the end of the day.”

The Black Knights stayed with the Orange for the majority of the game tying it up six different times, never letting the Orange get ahead by more than three goals and even taking the lead at one point in the third quarter.

“It came down to possession time, the amount of time Syracuse had the ball,” Army head coach Joe Alberici said. “They’re a terrific team and that was the end result, a 12-9 finish for them, congratulations Syracuse they are a great team.”

Home Grown High School Teammates Turned Rivals

The game between the two in-state teams showcased a goal-for-goal battle between former West Genesee high school teammates Dylan Donahue for Syracuse and John Glesener for Army. 

“He’s a good friend,” Donahue said. “It was fun to play with him.”

Glesener found the back of the cage first getting Army on the board early just five minutes in, to tie the game at one.

But less than two minutes later, Donahue answered by giving the lead back to the Orange scoring off a feed from Skaneateles alum Kevin Rice. 

Donahue would also close out the first quarter, scoring off a clever behind the back pass from Randy Staats with five seconds left on the clock.

The next goal wouldn’t be scored for another ten minutes thanks to stellar saves by both goalkeepers. 

“Bob [Wardwell] has complete control of the defense,” Desko said. “He’s playing very well for us.”

Glesener was the one to break the scoring drought five minutes before half time when Army went man-up due to an SU penalty, bringing Army to within one.

One minute later Army tied it at four on a goal from A.J. Canara.

But Donahue wouldn’t let that stand and scored unassisted with 2:55 left in the second quarter sending the Orange into the locker room with a 5-4 lead.

“He [Donahue] works well with the group and we needed him to come through with some points tonight and he did, so it was great to see,” Desko said.

With 2:49 left in the third quarter Donahue netted his fourth goal of the game to put the Orange up 10-7.

Glesener hit back at the start of the fourth quarter to bring the Black Knights to within two, but Donahue came through again scoring unassisted with 10:22 left to play giving the Orange the three goal lead.

Donahue finished with six points on a season-high five goals and one assist for the Orange.

Army’s Glesener found success with his sidearm sniper shot finishing with four goals of his own.

Williams Continues to Dominate

Faceoff specialist Ben Williams continued his dominance at the X winning 21 of the 25 faceoffs that he took against three different Army players, including the first 11 in a row.

“Our faceoff unit, the three of us, every time we walk out there we’re going to get that ball for our guys especially when it’s back and forth like that,” Williams said.  “Our offense and defense played a really tough game and it was fun to be a part of it.”

Along with his 21 faceoffs Williams also picked up a team high 13 ground balls.

Williams’ ability to gain possession of the ball allowed six different Orange men to find the back of the cage.

“I thought Williams’ was certainly the MVP of the game he played terrific and gave them a lot of opportunities,” Alberici said.

Staats also had a big game for the Orange finishing with six points on two goals and four helpers while Rice also netted a pair with one helper. 

Hakeem Lecky, Nicky Galasso and Henry Schoonmaker had one apiece.

“We’ve all played with each other for a while so we all have a lot of experience,” Donahue said.  “We like playing with each other, we know where the other person is going to be especially with our whole offense and middies.”

Wardwell had 11 saves on the day as the Orange improved to 3-0 while the Black Knights dropped to 3-1.

Up Next

The Orange will finish its four game home stand next Sunday at noon, opening ACC play against the No. 6 Virginia Cavaliers at the Carrier Dome.

Virginia is 3-0 heading into the Top 10 matchup.