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Syracuse’s season couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. In its 24-5 season-opening demolition of Jacksonville Saturday, eight players scored at least two goals. Midfielder Michael Leo led the way with five points on four goals, while attack Joey Spallina recorded three goals and two assists.

The Orange jumped out to a 10-0 start — their best since the first game of 2022. The winning margin was their third-largest this century. They also caused 22 turnovers and picked up 42 ground balls in an all-around dominant performance.

Syracuse’s next opponent, Vermont, should provide a slightly stiffer challenge. Still, it continues SU’s easy start to its schedule before taking on No. 17 Towson on Feb. 10 and No. 4 Maryland on Feb. 15.

Here’s everything you need to know about Vermont (0-0, 0-0 America East) before it meets No. 2 Syracuse (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) Friday in the JMA Wireless Dome:

All-time Series

Syracuse leads 3-0.

Last time they played …

Syracuse downed Vermont 20-7 in its 2024 season-opener. New faces propelled the win. In his first game at SU after transferring from Lehigh, Christian Mulé scored a hat trick, while Luke Rhoa tallied his own. Tufts transfer Mason Kohn went 16-of-24 at X and freshman John Mullen went 5-of-7 (67.7% total), instantly improving SU’s faceoff unit after a 41.9% clip in 2023.

The Catamounts Report

Vermont returns four of its top five scorers from last season, when it finished second in the America East and fell in the conference tournament championship 12-11 to UAlbany. Midfielder Charlie Pope, who led the team with 42 goals and tied for a team-high with 52 points returns for the Catamounts. But fellow points leader Brock Haley, who recorded 21 goals and 31 assists in 2024, was drafted into National League Lacrosse.

Vermont’s faceoff unit, which ranked 18th in the nation last year in winning percentage, also returns lead faceoff specialist Henry Dodge (200-of-344 at X in 2024). However, Vermont allowed 12.62 goals per game in 2024, in the bottom-20 of Division I. Granted, it played high-caliber opposition last campaign, including then-No. 12 Syracuse and then-No. 18 Boston University. Plus, entering the season, Vermont lost 51% of its defensive experience, per Lacrosse Reference.

The biggest question mark for Vermont entering the season is in net. Last year’s starter George Egan, who recorded 198 saves with a 51.4% save percentage, graduated. Egan’s deputy in 2024, Ryan Daly, will likely start but is untested, only playing three games last year.

Joe Zhao | Design Editor

How Syracuse beats Vermont

Frankly, Syracuse shouldn’t have much trouble beating the Catamounts and jumping out to a 2-0 start. The Orange overwhelmed Jacksonville with their attacking prowess and depth and should cause Vermont’s defense similar fits.

While SU’s defense went relatively untested in its season-opener, its backline held the Dolphins scoreless until the final five minutes of the second quarter and again kept JU off the board for the entire third quarter.

Syracuse’s starting goalie, Jimmy McCool, should again have a relatively easy day in his second career start following his 45-minute, six-save outing Saturday. Even if McCool lets the Catamounts score more than Jacksonville did, SU’s offense will overwhelm Vermont’s inexperienced defense to hand it a decisive victory.

Stat to know: 49%

Vermont’s defense only returns 49% of defensive experience, per Lacrosse Reference. The most significant losses are Charlie Egan (37 ground balls, 10 caused turnovers). In other position groups, the Catamounts return 70% of their offense, 92% of their faceoff unit and 10% of their saves with George’s graduation.

Player to watch: Charlie Pope, midfielder, No. 87

Pope became Vermont’s top goal scorer last season, recording 42 scores after only managing 16 in zero starts as a freshman in 2022 and missing the entire 2023 season with a knee injury. Pope’s performance last season earned him a USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American Honorable Mention as well as American East Offensive Player of the Year.

Published on February 5, 2025 at 9:40 pm

Contact Nicholas: njalumka@syr.edu | @nalumkal