Syracuse will travel to New Jersey to face Princeton on Saturday as two of college lacrosse’s winningest programs renew their rivalry. Here’s a quick look at the matchup:
OFFENSE COMES ALIVE: Syracuse defeated Duke 13-11 in the Konica Minolta Big City Classic on Sunday after the Orange saw nine different players score to take a 9-2 lead heading into halftime. In Syracuse’s two prior games, the Orange could only muster a combined 10 goals. The win was also John Galloway’s 52nd win, breaking an NCAA record previously held by Princeton’s Scott Bacigalupo.
IN PRINCETON’S LAST GAME: Tucker Shanley’s goal a little more than a minute into the fourth overtime ended Princeton’s second longest game in school history, and gave the Tigers a much needed 5-4 win over Brown. The longest game in Princeton history? A four overtime 15-14 win against Syracuse in 1999 (that game went 2:21 longer). The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Tigers.
SCOUTING THE PRINCETON TIGERS: Part of Princeton’s early struggles has been due to injuries. Senior attackman Jack McBride played the season opener against Hofstra before reaggravating a preseason groin injury. Although he scored his 90th goal of his career against the Pride, he will miss the rest of the season. Sophomore midfielder Mike Chanenchuk, 2010 Ivy League Rookie of the Year, broke his collarbone in a scrimmage against Georgetown and will not play this season. Then, sophomore defenseman Rob Castelo broke his kneecap and tore two ligaments against Johns Hopkins on March 5. Despite the injuries, the Tigers are still a tough defensive squad, led by golie Tyler Fiorito, who allows just 7.34 goals per game, good for 10th in the NCAA.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING: Syracuse is 17-9 against Princeton, and the Orange has won six of the past eight meetings. The last time these two teams met, the Orange crushed the Tigers 13-4 in the New Meadowlands Stadium on April 10, 2010 at the Konica Minolta Big City Classic. Cody Jamieson had four goals and an assist, while JoJo Marasco scored three goals as Syracuse never trailed in the game. Here’s another piece of history — the two schools have combined to win 17 of the last 23 NCAA championships.
