Syracuse (12-1, 4-0 Big East) defeated Rutgers (5-7, 0-3), 12-2, in the second game of the ESPNU Warrior Classic. Here’s a quick look at the game:
HOW THE GAME WAS WON: The Orange dominated on defense, holding Rutgers scoreless for 53:30 after the Scarlet Knights scored the first goal of the game. SU would score 11 goals in that time period, and it was never a game after Syracuse scored four unanswered goals in the second quarter to go into half with a 6-1 lead.
WHAT IT MEANS: Rutgers, like so many other teams that has played the Orange this season, employed a zone defense and then played a deliberate offense in an attempt to slow down the Orange. But SU still managed to run away with the game despite losing 12 of 18 faceoffs because the Orange was able to force 24 turnovers.
STAR GAZING: The Orange was once again without Tim Desko (knee) but Tommy Palasek, who started in Desko’s place, made sure it didn’t matter as he finished with three goals and three assists. JoJo Marasco chipped in two goals and two assists. For the Scarlet Knights, Will Mangan and Kory Kelly each had a goal while Chris Mattes won 12 faceoffs. The win marks No. 57 for the class of 2011 (57-7), tying the class of 1986 for most wins during a four-year stretch.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Orange host No. 1 Notre Dame at the Carrier Dome on Saturday at 7 p.m.
