Syracuse University
2-0, 0-0
Saint Joseph's
0-1, 0-0
#2 Orange Roll Past Saint Joseph's at Home
2/7/2026 2:17:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Joey Spallina posted eight points on four goals and four assists while 11 different Orange found the back of the net as No. 2 Syracuse rolled past Saint Joseph's by a 20-2 count Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome.
The Orange (2-0) extended their winning streak to two games to start the 2026 campaign, marking the fourth consecutive season Syracuse has opened with back-to-back wins at the Dome. Finn Thomson matched Spallina with four goals while adding an assist. Ted Rawson and Wyatt Hottle each contributed two goals in the victory.
Syracuse's dominance was evident from the opening faceoff, with John Mullen winning 10 of his 16 draws to control possession throughout the afternoon. Jimmy McCool made 10 saves in 45 minutes of action before giving way to Michael Ippoliti, who added one save in relief.
Saint Joseph's (0-1) was held to just two goals from Carter Truesdell and Griffin Mallory in the season opener for the Hawks. Tommy Gross made two saves in 53 minutes before Charlie Giachetti entered for the final 6:43 of the contest.
The Orange continue their home stand on Friday, February 13 when they host No. 1 Maryland in a highly anticipated showdown. Opening faceoff is set for 6 p.m. on ACC Network. Prior to the game, Syracuse will honor the 15 For Life Foundation, founded in honor of Syracuse All-American Rob Kavovit. Tickets can be purchased at cuse.com/lacrosse-tickets.
How it Happened
- Syracuse opened the game with five unanswered goals in the first quarter. Wyatt Hottle scored twice, sandwiching tallies from Spallina and Finn Thomson's man-up marker off a Spallina assist. Spallina capped the opening run with an unassisted goal at the 4:01 mark.
- The Orange continued to pour it on in the second quarter with five more goals. Michael Leo opened the period with an unassisted tally before Saint Joseph's Griffin Mallory broke through to put the Hawks on the board at 11:37. Leo responded 54 seconds later with his second goal, followed by Bogue Hahn. Thomson and Spallina closed out the half to send Syracuse to the break with a commanding 10-1 advantage.
- Out of intermission, Syracuse added another four goals to extend the lead to 14-1. Billy Dwan III, Thomson, and Spallina all found the back of the net before Saint Joseph's Carter Truesdell ended a scoring drought spanning nearly over 15 minutes. Ted Rawson's first goal of his career with a Spallina helper closed the third quarter scoring.
- The Orange offense showed no signs of slowing in the fourth quarter. Thomson scored his fourth of the afternoon on a man-up opportunity assisted by Spallina at 12:05. Drew Angelo netted his first career goal just seven seconds later. Greg Elijah-Brown added another man-up marker with his first of the season, followed by Rawson's second goal on the extra-man opportunity. Charlie Kraftson and Matt McIntee rounded out the scoring for Syracuse with their first goals of the 2026 campaign.
- Spallina's eight-point performance was his highest of the young season and moved him to 259 career points, now just 48 points shy of breaking Mike Powell's program record of 307. His four goals and four assists marked the third eight-point game of his career.
- Leo's registered his 19th career multi-goal game, continuing his consistent offensive production. The senior midfielder now has seven goals through two games in 2026.
- Thomson's four-goal performance equaled a career high and marked his first four-goal game since March 28, 2025. The senior captain now has eight goals on the season.
- The Orange dominated at the faceoff X as Mullen won 10 of 16 draws (62.5%), while Drew Angelo countered with a 5-for-8 outing.
- Syracuse was a perfect 4-for-4 on extra-man opportunities, including three fourth-quarter conversions.
- McCool improved to 2-0 on the season with 10 saves in his 45 minutes of action. His save percentage sits at .688 through the first two games.
- Syracuse held Saint Joseph's to just 36 shots and forced 11 turnovers while committing only 10. The Orange also won the ground ball battle 26-18.
- The victory improved Syracuse to 280-56 all-time at the JMA Wireless Dome and marked the 963rd win in program history, second-most among Division I programs.
- Syracuse has now won its first two home games of the season for the fourth consecutive year and has outscored opponents 33-8 to start the 2026 campaign.
- The Orange wrap up their early season home stand with their biggest test yet, hosting No. 1 Maryland on Friday evening.
- The clash between the top two teams in the nation will be a rematch of last season's NCAA Semifinal.
- Game time is set for 6 p.m. on ACC Network. The contest will also serve as Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day, and both teams will honor the 15 For Life Foundation.
- Tickets can be purchased at cuse.com/lacrosse-tickets.
