Syracuse Stymied at Duke

Saturday, April 19

Durham, N.C.

2 p.m.

Syracuse University

9-4,2-1

Duke

10-4, 1-2

Syracuse

Duke University

4/19/2025 4:05:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

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DURHAM, N.C. – Two long scoring droughts for Syracuse University were the difference as the Orange fell 11-7 at Duke's Koskinen Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Syracuse (9-4, 2-1 ACC) had a five-point effort from Joey Spallina, who cashed in two goals and three assists, including a hand on the first four Syracuse goals of the game. Jimmy McCool made 15 saves in the setback. John Mullen won 12 of his 21 faceoffs.

Duke (10-4, 1-2 ACC) had five goals from Eric Malever, a game-best. Six different Blue Devils scored in the contest, backed by netminder Patrick Jameison, who stopped 13 Syracuse shots.

How it Happened

Duke started the game on a four-goal run, holding the Orange off the scoreboard for the first 15 minutes. Malever scored twice in the first around a Max Sloat goal before Liam Kershis game the Blue Devils a 4-0 lead with 12:34 to play in the second.
Spallina got the scoring going for the Orange at the 11:05 mark before later assisting Hiltz at 10:36. Aidan McGuire scored for Duke but Syracuse stuck another two goals three minutes apart from Luke Rhoa on a Spallina feed before the latter scored a low-angle shot on a Michael Leo feed.
Duke scored twice more in the final three minutes at 3:01 and 51 seconds to take a 7-4 halftime lead.
The Blue Devils continued to hold Syracuse off the board in the third quarter as Duke out-scored the Orange 4-0.
Syracuse made a late push in the fourth quarter, scoring thee straight from Sam English, Rhoa and Trey Deere on the man-up but too little too late as Duke won 11-7.

Behind the Numbers

Syracuse took 37 shots in the game, but Duke took 45 of its own.
Turnovers were key in the game as Syracuse had an uncharacteristic 18 turnovers against Duke's 14.
The Orange scored once on their lone man-up chance in the fourth quarter while the Syracuse penalty kill unit did not allow a goal on three penalties.

Up Next for Syracuse

The Orange return to the JMA Wireless Dome to wrap up the regular season on Saturday, April 26. Game time against North Carolina is set for 5 p.m. on ACC Network. Tickets are available at Cuse.com/tickets.