Virginia went on unanswered runs of five goals in the first quarter and six goals in the third, and Syracuse dropped a 21-15 decision to the Cavaliers on Saturday evening at the Carrier Dome.
After Syracuse (4-9, 1-4 ACC) scored the opening goal on an unassisted Tucker Dordevic goal 1:06 into the match, Virginia (10-3, 5-1) immediately responded, as Connor Shellenberger scored 10 seconds later to even the score. That was the first of five straight goals for the ‘Hoos, who took a 6-3 lead after the first quarter.
It also marked the exit of Syracuse goalie Bobby Gavin. Head coach Gary Gait pulled him in favor of Harrison Thompson, who ended up notching 10 saves.
Syracuse kept within reach, as Carter Rice’s goal out of intermission pulled SU to within 12-8. But Virginia went on another scoring tear, as Shellenberger’s man-up goal with 7:19 in the third was part of a 6-0 run that gave Virginia an 18-8 lead.
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The ‘Hoos put in their reserves in the fourth quarter in handing SU its fifth straight loss, the first time the Orange has lost that many in a row since 1975.
Syracuse did get a boost from redshirt freshman midfielder Jackson Birtwistle, who scored a career-best five goals. He was inserted into the starting lineup after he scored a hat trick in SU’s loss to North Carolina earlier in the week. Dordevic also added a hat trick.
The Orange was outshot 53-36 on the evening, and also surrendered 16 turnovers.
Jeff Connor scored four goals for the ‘Hoos, while Matt Moore and Xander Dickson each had 3.
Syracuse, which will finish with a losing record for the first time since the 2007 season, will finish off against No. 9 Notre Dame on Saturday at noon at the Dome.
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