Syracuse 15 - Cornell 8: 10-0 run gives MLAX edge in chippy, regional rivalry game

It hasn’t been often this year that the team ranked first in the nation could get a win, but the Syracuse Orange were able to do just that as SU took down the Cornell Big Red 15-8 in the Carrier Dome.

Syracuse took the first lead of the game after Nick Mariano wrapped around the net and scored far side on Cornell goalie Christian Knight. Less than two minutes later Jeff Teat hit Kason Tarbell inside to tie the game up at one. The Orange would not lead again until 1:59 left in the first half.

With about 2:53 remaining in the first period and the Orange in the offensive zone, Jordan Evans was pushed into the crease trying to retain a groundball. At some point in the ensuing scrum, Christian Knight cross checked Brendan Bomberry. The referees called two unsportsmanlike penalties, one on Jake Pulver who I didn’t really see get into anything, and one on Nate Solomon who gave a slight push to Knight after the cross check but certainly nothing to write home about. Pulver also picked up a pushing call. It was the first of several testy battles that would continue throughout the game.

Just seconds out of the gate on the ensuing Syracuse man-up, Sergio Salcido found Brendan Bomberry wide open on the crease to make it 4-3 Cornell. The Big Red completely lost Bomberry as he crept onto the crease.

Entering the second period, Jordan Evans tied it up for the ‘Cuse at four. Evans from the opposite wing took his defenseman down and around the back of the net before finally losing him atop the cage about five yards off crease for a step down shot. Tonight was easily the senior’s best game of the season as he had three goals and two assists as well as a caused turnover on a ride.

Evans was not the only player to have a hat trick however, Nate Solomon and Nick Mariano each entered three goals on the night.

Syracuse continued on and put home three more in the second period to go into half up 7-4. The final goal of the half came off the crosse of Jamie Trimboli as he caught a pass in the top left corner of the box with a man on him, spun towards the center of the box and found room to take a step down shot and score with no time remaining on the clock. We’ve been seeing more and more from the freshman who now has six goals on the year including two last week at Hobart and the future of him at SU is incredibly bright.

Coming out of halftime, the Orange sured up its defense, and the offense just rolled putting up five straight to start the third period giving SU a 12-4 edge. It was a ten goal run for Syracuse that spanned three quarters and 26:53 minutes of play. In fact, following Cornell’s third goal of the day, the Big Red did not score back-to-back goals again in the game.

No one goal win, no close game, and no thrilling ending. Just a Syracuse team that did what it was supposed to do and hung up a big number on an inferior opponent. This was definitely not St. John’s week.

At the faceoff X, Syracuse went 20-26 while Ben Williams got back to form this week with a 19-25, 11 groundball performance. That being said, he did turn the ball over twice and the faceoff unit did not look great holding on to the ball. Overall, the Orange turned the ball over 14 times tonight.

Evan Molloy had his kind of standard game and took home seven saves while allowing seven goals through 53:13 minutes of play. We saw a couple of minutes from back up goalie Dom Madonna, but more impressive was third string freshman Drake Porter who had a nice five hole save and then a beautiful kick save to finish out the game.

Scott Firman once again led the defense and for the second game in a row held his man to zero goals.

Syracuse goes on to have a super short week and faceoff with the North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, NC. The game will begin at 4 PM on ESPNU and can be heard on TK99/105. Of course you can always follow me for updates @Orangelax.