ORANGE MEN’S LACROSSE ROLLS TO 18-9 VICTORY AT PROVIDENCE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Three days after scoring six first-quarter goals against Johns Hopkins, No. 4 Syracuse (5-1, 2-0 BIG EAST) duplicated the feat in an 18-9 victory against Providence (5-2, 0-2) on a chilly Tuesday night at Lennon Family Field. The Orange closed the opening period on a 6-0 run and never looked back in handing the Friars their first home loss of the season.

Eleven different players had goals for the Orange. Redshirt sophomore Henry Schoonmaker (Portland, Ore.) led the way with a career-high three goals. Five others had two, including sophomore Kevin Rice (Skaneateles, N.Y.) and freshman Derek DeJoe (Fairport, N.Y.). Both Rice and DeJoe added two assists to finish with a team-high four points. DeJoe’s scoring output was a personal best and Rice’s four points matched his career high.

After Andrew Barton gave the Friars an early 1-0 lead, the Orange netted the next six goals to take a 6-1 advantage into the second quarter. Six different players scored in the run, including junior Billy Ward (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) who just beat the first-quarter buzzer to give the visitors a five-goal advantage.

The Providence scoring drought stretched to 19:16 before a goal by Sean Wright ended the Orange run with 9:06 left in the half to make the score 6-2. Following Wright’s goal, SU tallied the last five goals of the half, including two scores by Rice, to go up 11-2 at the break.

In the second half, the Orange led by as many as 11 three times (14-3, 15-4, 17-6) before the Friars notched three fourth-quarter goals against SUs’ reserves to close the gap to 17-9. DeJoe ended the Providence run and put the finishing touches on the victory, scoring unassisted with 41 seconds left to produce the final score.

The Orange offense was remarkably efficient, connecting on 18 of its 37 shots (.486) in the game. SU was also 3-for-5 (.600) with the extra man.

Orange junior goalie Dominic Lamolinara (Arnold, Md.) made his first start of the year in the cage. Lamolinara tied his career high with 11 saves in a little more than 48 minutes of work to earn his second straight win. Sophomore Bobby Wardwell (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and redshirt freshman Ben Romagnoli (Cazenovia, N.Y.) finished up between the pipes. Wardwell had two saves and Romagnoli made one.

For Providence, Wright led the way with four points (three goals, one assist) and Barton added three (two goals, one assist). Friar starting goalie Jack Connelly recorded 10 saves and allowed 16 goals before being lifted for Peter Badgley (one save, two goals allowed).

Syracuse plays its second straight road conference game Saturday, March 23 when it visits Villanova. Faceoff against the Wildcats is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.

Game Notes: The Orange is 5-0 all-time against Providence and has outscored the Friars in the series, 77-26 … SU’s 11 first-half goals were its most in one half this season … The team’s 18 goals were also a season high … Redshirt sophomore Kyle Henry (Lewiston, N.Y.) and redshirt freshman Brenny Daly (Owings Mills, Md.) scored their first career goals in the second half … Henry had two goals on the night and Daly had one … Sophomore Matt Walters (Villanova, Pa.) was credited with a career-best two assists.