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Syracuse’s unstoppable offense came to a screeching halt Saturday against then-No. 6 Maryland. John Tillman has proved to be SU’s kryptonite — never losing in seven meetings — and he worked his magic again. The Orange entered averaging 18.33 goals per game, featuring highlight-reel behind-the-back-finishes and long-range rockets. But UMD held SU to seven.

Saturday’s result isn’t the end of the world for Syracuse (3-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast). One loss, especially four games in, doesn’t define a season. Averaging 15.5 goals per game with six players recording at least five goals through four games, the Orange boast one of the best offenses in the country.

Syracuse’s reliance on multiple players makes it so hard to defend. Joey Spallina — SU’s points leader with 25 — garners enough attention. When you add a potent attack in Owen Hiltz (nine goals, eight assists) with dodgers Michael Leo and Luke Rhoa, defenses don’t have the talent to keep up. That’s without mentioning skilled finishers Finn Thomson and Trey Deere, who can score from any angle.

“It’s not one, two, even three guys, like, ‘Hey we gotta really stop these guys,’” Towson head coach Shawn Nadelen said following SU’s 18-7 win over the Tigers on Feb. 10. “They play great team offense and share the ball well.”

Nadelen added that teams “can’t give (Syracuse’s offense) an inch.” He also pointed to SU’s continuity within the attack, saying players have stayed together for three years, alluding to its heralded junior class of Spallina, Leo, Thomson and Rhoa.

The chemistry was on full display through the first three games. Yes, the opponents weren’t the strongest, but SU emphatically got the job done, outscoring opponents 55-17. In each game, it was someone different.

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Leo took over Syracuse’s 24-5 win over Jacksonville, scoring a career-high four goals. Against Vermont, Spallina stole the show. He tied a career-high with 10 points (five goals, five assists) in a 13-5 win. Facing Towson, Hiltz posted three goals and four assists.

“They’re getting good opportunities and that’s why we have so many multiple scorers because it doesn’t matter who’s out there,” SU head coach Gary Gait said.

Spallina, Hiltz and Thomson all have box lacrosse backgrounds, meaning they can thrive in tight spaces. Yet, they all play different roles. Spallina is the architect, using his vision to distribute the ball everywhere. Hiltz is a bullseye shooter who punishes teams when they leave him open. Meanwhile, Thomson finds space anywhere.

The trio has combined for 29 goals this season. As dangerous as they are, Syracuse’s midfield is the key. Leo and Rhoa pack a punch with their shooting range and speed, alongside two-way expert Sam English.

Rhoa’s nine goals — four of which came against Towson — rank third on the team, Leo’s seven is good for fifth and English has added three goals and three assists. Deere, a natural attack, has gotten run on the second midfield line due to his scoring talent. He has totaled five goals in an increased role as a sophomore.

SU’s attack often draws long pole assignments, meaning Rhoa, Leo and other midfielders get the favorable short-stick matchups. They dominated those in the first three games.

That changed in its first true test against Maryland. Deere and Rhoa scored SU’s first goals but the Orange were held scoreless the rest of the way. It was another pristine display from the Terrapins, who’ve become notorious for being gritty under Tillman.

“They just played great team defense,” Gait said of Maryland. “They just didn’t make many mistakes.”

Heading into this season, Syracuse seemingly had the upper hand. The Orange were the higher-ranked team against the Terrapins for the first time under Gait and boasted a more talented roster.

But Maryland punched Syracuse in the mouth. It was a reverse of Syracuse’s disastrous 10-8 loss against Denver in the NCAA Quarterfinal last season. In that game, Hiltz was SU’s only attack to score, while its midfield accounted for seven.

Leo made a bold proclamation following the season-ending loss.

“We’re going to be on top next year, for sure,” Leo said.

The statement was confidently made due to SU only losing attack Christian Mulé (25 goals) and midfielder Jake Stevens (21 goals). Its offense, which averaged 14.72 goals per game in 2024, retained most of its talent. Mulé was replaced by Thomson while SU’s midfield group has remained strong.

When the Orange struggled last season, it often came down to their offense growing stagnant. Facing elite defenses, SU couldn’t make eye-popping plays as often. Once its Plan A was shut down, it couldn’t move to Plan B.

Gait has often talked about the growth players display each season. He points to their junior year as when players start to put everything together, which is pertinent with most of Syracuse’s key players being juniors.

Per Gait’s logic, performances like SU’s against Maryland should be a thing of the past. That didn’t happen. The Terrapins played physically and held Syracuse’s explosive offense in check, especially in the second half where the Orange scored just two goals.

It started with Syracuse’s midfield being quieted by a more compact defense, preventing guys from popping open from close distance. Eventually, Syracuse grew impatient and rushed shots from distance. The Orange attempted 41 shots, 19 of which were on net while 12 were saved by goalie Logan McNaney.

“Our guys telegraphed our shots a little bit too much,” Gait said. “(We) shot low, but gave away that they were shooting low before they took the shot.”

The Terrapins beat the Orange at their own game with eight different goal scorers. In previous games, Syracuse blitzed teams early. It scored the first 10 goals versus Jacksonville and first six against Vermont. Even in SU’s win over Towson, it never let the Tigers get within three goals in the second half.

The Orange never created that cushion Saturday. Outside of Spallina’s two goals to finish the half, Syracuse didn’t score back-to-back times and its biggest lead was one. The typical offensive avalanches were absent and with the pressure on, its offense folded.

Published on February 17, 2025 at 10:55 pm

Contact Zak: zakwolf784254@gmail.com | @ZakWolf22