Men's Lacrosse Comes Up Short Against #1 Syracuse, 10-5

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Syracuse, N.Y. – Mike Leveille had three goals to lead Syracuse, the nation’s top team, to its ninth consecutive win in a 10-5 victory over UAlbany on Friday, April 18 before 5,420 fans at the Carrier Dome. The Orange are ranked No. 1 in the USILA coaches’ poll and No. 2 by Inside Lacrosse.

Syracuse (11-1) broke an early 1-1 tie with three consecutive goals. Greg Niewieroski scored from right in front following a failed clearing attempt. Leveille then found the net from the right side by going low inside the near post. Niewieroski rolled in from the right around two defenders to complete the outburst.

UAlbany (5-7) closed the gap to 4-2 when freshman Brian Caufield sent a blast into the top corner with 2:47 left in the opening period. But the Orange used a stingy defense and forced the visitors into several clearing miscues to keep them off the scoreboard for the rest of the half. Kenny Nims, who had two goals and one assist, found an empty net when defenseman Craig McDonald coughed up the ball on his side of the field. Steven Brooks and Stephen Keogh added unassisted goals in the second quarter.

The Great Danes, who are now winless in seven meetings when playing the nation’s No. 1 team, closed within four goals on two occasions in the third period. Jordan Levine drove from the right point to connect on a tough-angle goal with 2:23 on the clock that cut the lead to 8-4. UAlbany had many opportunities to make it a tighter affair, but made seven of its 24 turnovers in the stanza.

Leveille, who extended his scoring streak to 51 straight games, helped slam door with back-to-back goals. Following a 10-second clearing violation by the Great Danes, the senior attacker converted Brooks’ feed with 17 seconds remaining in the quarter. He added his 33rd of the season in the final period by circling back to his right and sending a high blast over reserve goalkeeper Dan McKeon’s head.

“We turned the ball over too many times and gave them too many chances,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose team was facing its fifth top-10 opponent and second No. 1 squad this season. “They rode us well and came with pressure. Their defense made it hard to get shots off and the goalie was outstanding.”

SU goalkeeper John Galloway finished with 14 saves, one off his career-best total. Brooks, a senior midfielder, had two goals and one assist. UAlbany’s Brett Queener, who also saw time on the man-up unit, stopped 10 shots and had a career-high 10 ground balls.

“They have a solid defense that works well together and slides fast to the ball,” commented Caufield, who led his team with three goals. “We didn’t play our best, but we had good looks and they didn’t fall.”


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UAlbany (5-7) 2 0 2 1 - 5

#1 Syracuse (11-1) 5 2 2 1 - 10

UAlbany – Scoring: Brian Caufield 3-0, Jordan Levine 1-0, Kyle Brunk 1-0, Mike Ammann 0-2, Joe Pompo 0-1, John Alpizar 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Brett Queener (51:32, 10 saves, 9 GA), Dan McKeon (8:28, 0 saves, 1 GA).

Syracuse – Scoring: Mike Leveille 3-0, Steve Brooks 2-1, Kenny Nims 2-1, Greg Niewieroski 2-0, Stephen Keogh 1-0, Dan Hardy 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): John Galloway (60:00, 14 saves, 5 GA).