Syracuse Survives Albany 15-13
from press release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The fourth-ranked Orange
(10-2) survived a furious third-quarter rally to record its 10th
win of the season, 15-13, against No. 20 Albany on Friday, April 17
at the Carrier Dome. The Great Danes outscored Syracuse, 8-1, in
the third period, but the Orange tallied four goals in the final
quarter to secure a two-goal victory.
Senior midfielder Dan Hardy tied his career high with five points
(3g, 2a) in the contest for Syracuse. Sophomore attackman Stephen
Keogh also had three goals and two assists for five points. Senior
attackman Kenny Nims finished with four assists to extend his
point-scoring streak to 28 games.
Syracuse entered the third quarter leading 10-2, but the momentum
swung Albany’s way as Brian Caufield, Luke Cometti and
Matthew Cushing each scored in the first five minutes of the period
to cut the SU lead to five, 10-5. A goal by junior attackman Chris
Daniello briefly halted the Albany rally, but Corey Small and Joe
Resetarits combined for five unanswered goals to pull the visitors
within one, 11-10, entering the fourth quarter. Small had three
goals in the final seven minutes of the stanza and Resetarits
contributed two.
With Albany charging, the momentum turned back in Syracuse’s
favor on a wild play to begin the fourth quarter. After the Great
Danes secured the period’s first faceoff, Albany defender
Brendan Gleason attempted a pass back towards his own net to start
a clear, but SU rookie Kevin Drew raced up from behind and checked
his stick and ball fluttered into the empty Albany goal to make the
score 12-10 with 14:54 left in regulation.
Drew’s hustle play sparked a four-goal SU run that increased
the Orange margin to 15-10. Hardy was critical during the stretch
scoring a goal and feeding senior Matt Abbott for SU’s final
goal of the game.
Albany scored the three times in the span 4:44 to get within two,
15-13, with 2:50 remaining, but the Orange played keep away with
the ball for long stretches in the final minutes to seal the
win.
For Albany, Brian Caufield led the way with six points (1g, 5a),
and Joe Resetarits and Corey Small each had four goals.
Small’s final goal, which came late in the fourth period, was
the 100th of his career.
Freshmen goalies Drew DiCioccio and John Carroll each played a
half for the Great Danes. Carroll made five saves in the second
half as Albany mounted its comeback. He relieved DiCioccio, who
allowed 10 first-half goals in his first career start.
The Orange appeared in complete control of the game in the first
half. It outshot the Great Danes, 29-10, in the opening 30 minutes
and won eight of the half’s 11 faceoffs to build an
eight-goal margin at the break.
Syracuse held an early 4-0 lead, scoring four times in the span
four minutes midway through the first quarter.
The Orange lead swelled to 6-2 in the second quarter before Keogh
and Hardy fueled a four-goal scoring spurt that increased the
hosts’ advantage to 10-2 at halftime. Keogh had two goals and
an assist in the run, while Hardy scored once and also contributed
a helper.
However, despite the deficit Albany would not go away and
regrouped at the half to surge back into the game.
Junior Gavin Jenkinson helped the Orange to a 16-13 advantage at
the faceoff X Friday. Jenkinson won 12 draws in the contest,
including all seven in the first quarter. Syracuse also held the
advantage in ground balls over Albany, 36-30.
The Orange returns to action on Saturday, April 25. Syracuse plays
its final road game of the season at Massachusetts. Faceoff is
slated for 1:30 at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The contest will be
televised live nationally on CBS College Sports.
Game Notes: The Orange improved to 7-0 all-time against the Great
Danes … All seven meetings have taken place at the Carrier
Dome … Abbott attempted his first faceoff of the year in the
second quarter … Senior faceoff specialist Jake Moulton
returned to action after missing eight games due to injury and was
2-for-5 at the X … Redshirt freshman Tim Desko tied his
career high with two goals … Keogh has scored at least three
goals in eight of SU’s 12 games this season.
