In Dome finale, Syracuse shocked by Hobart, 13-12

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Syracuse opens the 2017 NCAA Tournament on Sunday

Syracuse lost to Hobart for the first time since 2006, dropping a 13-12 decision. They lost the Kraus-Simmons Trophy for just the third time in 28 games that the Orange have relinquished the trophy.

WHAT HAPPENED: It was the team’s third game in the past week and it seemed like the SU men’s lacrosse team just ran out of gas in the fourth quarter. The game started off as a back-and-forth barrage of goals, but midway through the second quarter, it was the Orange that finally pulled away. Four straight goals gave the home team an 8-4 lead over the Statesmen.

Syracuse maintained that comfortable lead for the rest of the half, all the way into the fourth quarter. Although the Orange held onto a lead, it was never really out of reach for Hobart. That proved to be true in the fourth quarter as the Statesmen rallied to score four straight goals. Suddenly, a two-goal lead for the Orange turned into a one-goal lead for Hobart. A lead that wouldn’t be relinquished. The SU offense just shut down for the final 11 minutes of the game.

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Hobart shocked Syracuse

WHAT IT MEANS: In the scheme of things, this loss really isn’t that big of a deal. Hobart is out of conference and only on the schedule because it’s a rivalry. It’s too bad that the Kraus-Simmons trophy doesn’t stay in Syracuse but this might be a good way for this team to refocus. There is one huge positive that is coming out of today and that’s the face off situation. The team went 20-for-28 at the X and those possessions were extremely important and will be important in games moving forward.

» More SU Lax: Syracuse rallies in fourth quarter against Rutgers

STAR GAZING:  The main reason for that turnaround at the X is Cal Paduda. He grabbed 20-of-28 face offs in his first substantial performance of the season. He was good last week when Daddio couldn’t cut it, but this week, he was great.

The biggest star of the night was Hobart goalkeeper Peter Zonino. He was a brick wall tonight against a strong Syracuse attack, making 18 saves.

QUICK QUOTES:

“I thought their goalie was sensational…” Desko said. “We haven’t seen him play like that this year. He played similar to that in our game last year.”

“I’ve always felt that when you play in here, if you’re gonna win the game, you’ve got to have 15-plus saves,” Hobart coach T.W. Johnson said. “When we won in here in 2006, we had 16 saves…”

WHAT’S NEXT: Syracuse heads to Georgetown on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 1 p.m. Radio: ESPN 97.7 FM.

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