Syracuse Men's Lacrosse: Previewing Binghamton

Binghamton Quick Facts

Binghamton All-Time Record Vs. SU: 0-4

Binghamton Streak Vs. SU: L4

Binghamton Last Win Vs. SU: Never

Binghamton 2015 Record: 4-9

Binghamton 2016 Record: 4-7; Wins versus UMBC, Drexel, UMass Lowell, Canisius; Losses versus Colgate, Marist, Hobart, Delaware (OT), Towson, Hartford, Albany

2016 AmEeast Preseason Coaches' Poll: #6 out of seven

2016 AmEeast Preseason All-Conference Players: F/O Dan Mazurek

2016 RPI: #52

2016 SOS: #43

We have another midweek game on our hands as the Binghamton Bearcats come to the Carrier Dome for a Wednesday matchup with the Syracuse Orange. Binghamton has had just one winning season in its program's history and that was back in 2004. This year the Bearcats have a 4-7 record. The only common opponents between SU and Binghamton are Hobart and Albany; Syracuse holds wins over each. The Statesmen beat Binghamton 12-6 and Albany beat Binghamton 12-8.

The Bearcats lost its first four games of the season while scoring just 29 goals and giving up a combined 45 goals against. In fact, Binghamton has one of the worst scoring margins in the nation at -1.45. In its four wins, BU has scored at least 10 goals but has not beaten a team with a winning record this season. The combined record of the opponents of which Binghamton has beat is a measly 12-33. That being said, there is still an opportunity for this team to make the America East Conference Tournament. BU is currently tied for fourth in the conference standings and has games against Vermont and Stony Brook remaining.

The last time these two upstate teams faced off was back in 2014 when Syracuse came out on top 10-8. In that contest, Binghamton had eight different goal scorers. It should also be noted that current BU FOGO Dan Mazurek went 8-18 against Chris Dadio in that 2014 match.

The high point for this Bearcats team is at its faceoff game. BU uses a two man rotation at the faceoff X. Junior Dan Mazurek had a .535 winning percentage in 2015 and a .513 winning percentage in 2014. This year he has won 86 of 160 faceoffs with 38 groundballs. Austin Macchi took home 68 of 131 faceoffs in his freshman year and this year he has a .536 winning percentage. Take into account that Binghamton plays a weak schedule so I still think they will have a tough time with Ben Williams and his .632 winning percentage, especially considering they didn't get a look at him last season.

In net, I would expect Sam Sanko to get the start. Sanko and Tanner Cosens have both gotten starts throughout the year with Sanko getting the last three. In Binghamton's last game versus Albany, Sanko was pulled at halftime after giving up 8 goals while making only one save. In his place Cosens made nine saves in the game and allowed just four goals. I have to think we will see both goalies on Wednesday as there hasn't been a clear frontrunner in net now for two years. Interestingly enough, Cosens' uncle John Winship was a captain at Syracuse and was a member of two National Championships.

Attackman Zach Scaduto had 14 goals in his first two years at Binghamton but has really stepped up this year with 23 goals and 10 assists. The Bearcats lost two attackman that combined for 80 points last year, so Scaduto's emergence has filled a huge void.

I expect a dominant win on Wednesday for the Orange. The Bearcats defense only causes 5.10 turnovers per game. BU is 43^rd in the country in groundballs per game. Its man-down defense is 40^th in the nation while the man-up offense sits at 63^rd. In fact there are not a lot of bright spots for BU, but clearing percentage is one of them. Binghamton sports an .892 clearing percentage.

Syracuse, meanwhile, is coming off of one of its most complete performances in a big win over the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Orange have secured a spot in the ACC Tournament but have to wait for the final in the UNC-Notre Dame game to find out its seeding. If Notre Dame beats UNC, it will come down to a three way tie-breaker which would be decided by goals against in games between the three tied teams. Those numbers are listed below and show that Duke Syracuse would take the second seed, Syracuse UNC third, and UNC Duke fourth.

Duke - 32 (L vs. UNC 16-17, W vs. Syracuse 16-15)

UNC - 29 (L vs. Syracuse 7-13, W vs. Duke 17-16)

Syracuse - 23 (W vs. UNC 13-7, L vs. Duke 15-16)

If, however, UNC beats Notre Dame then UNC would be the one seed, Notre Dame the two, Duke third, and Syracuse fourth. In that scenario Duke and Syracuse would be tied but Duke would own the tie-breaker due to the head-to-head win over the Orange.

Expected Starters

Attack

Zach Scaduto

Ben Kocis

Thomas McAndrew

Midfield

Joe Licata

Matthew Kaser

Johnny Maher

Defense

Garrett Waldron

Chris Bechle

Salvatore Fama

Goal

Sam Sanko

The Binghamton Bearcats will visit the Carrier Dome on Wednesday to faceoff with the Syracuse Orange. The game can be seen locally on TWCS and will also be broadcast on ESPN3. TK99 will carry the game on the radio. Of course you can also follow me @orangelax for updates.