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Syracuse followed up its 16-8 win over Hofstra with a commanding offensive masterpiece in its 22-6 win over St. Bonaventure. Not only did it fix its faceoff struggles against the Bonnies, but SU picked up ground balls and dominated in the midfield, leading to the most goals in a game this season. Now, in their final nonconference game of the season, the Orange welcome Hobart, renewing one of the oldest rivalries in college athletics.

Though they beat the Statesmen last year, the Orange needed to eke out an 18-16 win at the JMA Wireless Dome to improve to 2-3 on the season. This year, they’ll face off against a team coming off a 13-11 win over Providence. In its only game against a ranked opponent this season, Hobart lost to then-No. 3 Cornell 17-8.

Here’s what our beat writers predict will happen on Saturday when Syracuse takes on Hobart.

Anish Vasudevan (7-2)
One-sided rivalry 
Syracuse 16, Hobart 11 

The Statesmen were actually scary last year, pulling within one goal of the Orange in the final minute of play. Syracuse avoided the upset with a final dagger from Brendan Curry, but it was the closest Hobart had gotten to defeating SU since hoisting up the Kraus-Simmons Trophy in 2013. 

Hobart is off to a better start than last season but I don’t think it will have enough to defeat Syracuse. The Orange just put together their most complete game of the year. Every single unit dominated the Bonnies. Johnny Richiusa posted his best faceoff win percentage this season, Joey Spallina notched his third straight game with six or more points and Will Mark only let in three goals. They can easily execute for a second straight week.

Richiusa’s performance will again be crucial. The Orange have the second-worst time of possession nationally, according to LacrosseReference, holding the ball for 26:49 of gameplay. Hobart doesn’t turn the ball over much, so Richiusa’s success is vital if SU wants to hold on to the Kraus-Simmons Trophy.

Connor Smith (8-1)
Bring on the Irish 
Syracuse 20, Hobart 14

Syracuse certainly needed this three-game stretch against a few struggling nonconference teams, but it will end with Saturday’s home game against Hobart. The Statesmen are better than St. Bonaventure — sitting at 4-3 and winning two of their last three games — but still lack the talent to take down the Orange even after playing them close last year. They have the eighth-most efficient offense in the country, per LacrosseReference, and have only been held below 10 goals once this season (against then-No. 3 Cornell). That means SU’s defense has to be up to the task, and based on goalie Will Mark’s play this season, that should be the case.

Hobart, though, struggles defensively, ranking 66th out of 72 Division-I teams in scoring defense this season. The Orange just dropped a season-high 22 goals on the Bonnies, and the 14 different goal scorers showed how much Syracuse’s attack has improved — and diversified — this year. I expect that will lead to a flurry of SU scores, particularly after halftime like on Tuesday, and that will separate these two teams. 

With this being a season of streaks — first a three-game win streak to start the year, then a four-game losing skid, and now, likely three consecutive victories — Syracuse should be rolling heading into its meeting with No. 1 Notre Dame next Saturday. 

Anthony Alandt (6-3) 
Next please
Syracuse 18, Hobart 10

The latest edition of the one of the longest college lacrosse rivalries in the country takes place on Saturday. Syracuse, coming off its most commanding win of the season over St. Bonaventure, is looking to compound two straight wins with another win over the Statesmen. They are more of an offensive threat than the Bonnies, led by Camillus-native Anthony Dattellas’s 27 points, but I don’t see Hobart coming as close to the Orange as it did in last season’s loss.

Adam Shea could provide a solid faceoff threat to Johnny Richiusa, but Richiusa went 10-of-17 against the Bonnies. Syracuse not only fixed its faceoffs against St. Bonaventure, but finally picked up some ground balls. Hobart ranks 58th in the nation in ground balls, picking up just 27.57 per game. I think the Orange are still a young team that’s going to make significant mistakes — even in nonconference play against inferior opponents — but the progression from Richiusa and the team’s performance on Tuesday leads me to believe they’ll easily figure it out against the Statesmen and cruise to a third straight win.

Published on March 22, 2023 at 11:02 pm