LAX Preview: Syracuse (8-3) at Navy (5-6)
The Navy Midshipmen welcome the Orange of Syracuse this weekend to Annapolis for only the third meeting of the men’s lacrosse programs ever at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Saturday’s first faceoff is slated for 5:00 pm ET.
After losing a heartbreaker to Army last weekend, Navy comes into Saturday’s game with a 5-6 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the Patriot League. The Orange have won three in a row and hold an impressive 8-3 record this season and are .500 in the ACC at 2-2.
A Look at Syracuse
Syracuse’s offensive game is ranked 17th in the nation in scoring, averaging 12.64 goals per game. Leading their attack are seniors, Bradley Voigt and Nate Solomon. Voigt tops the Orange in points (32) and goals (26) scored this season. With 21 goals and ten assists, Solomon has contributed 31 points to the Syracuse cause in 2019.
Ranked 13th in the nation in scoring defense, Syracuse relies heavily on junior Drake Porter in goal. Porter is tenth in the country in save percentage (56.4), and 19th nationally in both saves per game (12.36) and goals-against average (10.04). Tyson Bomberry, defenseman, adds to the Orange’s defensive depth with an average of 1.40 caused turnovers per game. Bomberry has also scooped up 44 grounds balls this year.
On faceoffs, Syracuse splits time at the ‘x’ between Jakob Phaup and Danny Varello. Phaup ranks sixth in the nation with a 65.3 winning percentage, while Varello holds a 56.9 percentage in draws won.
Bottom Line
Last season, Navy pulled off a last second 13-12 win over Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. The Orange will be looking for revenge, while the Mids will be aiming to make it two in a row over the ACC foe. Despite differences in records, a good game should await lacrosse fans Saturday in Annapolis.
