UNC Survives
Furman nearly stunned No. 9 North Carolina, staging an 8-1 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to take a 14-13 lead with 2:09 remaining. But Chris Cloutier’s fifth goal pulled the Tar Heels even at the 1:16 mark and Justin Anderson scored 31 seconds into overtime, as North Carolina held on for a 15-14 victory in Chapel Hill. Tanner Cook added five goals (on seven shots) for the Tar Heels, who improved to 2-0. The Paladins fell to 0-2.
Army Blasts UMass
The last time we saw Army’s David Symmes, the 6-foot-4, 212-pound midfielder was barreling over a Notre Dame defender to score the game-winning goal in overtime — setting up all sorts of intrigue on Selection Sunday. Saturday’s showing was less dramatic, but just as dominant, as Symmes scored three goals and added three assists in the No. 15 Black Knights’ 18-6 victory over visiting UMass. Army’s 18 goals were the most in a season opener since 1993. UMass’ Noah Rak won 12 of 19 faceoffs and scored two goals in the loss.
Guterding, Duke Stay Scorching Hot
Remember when Duke used to start slow? Not these Blue Devils.
Duke, ranked No. 1 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Top 20, continued its searing start to the season with a 19-8 victory over visiting Jacksonville.
The Dolphins, coming off a nice season-opening win against Navy, never stood a chance against Justin Guterding and company. The Blue Devils blanked Jacksonville in the first quarter, jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the second quarter and then put the game away with a five-goal spurt to close out the third quarter. Duke (3-0) has outscored its first three opponents by a combined score of 55-18. Guterding, the senior attackman and Tewaaraton candidate, has 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in three games after a four-goal, five-assist showing Saturday.
Syracuse attackman Nate Solomon scores on a behind-the-back bouncer while falling to the turf at the Carrier Dome. Solomon finished with two goals and an assist in the Orange's 21-4 season-opening victory over Binghamton.
Syracuse Shreds Binghamton
So much for the rust factor.
It could have been a tricky season opener for Syracuse, which had its fall season cut short due to a mumps outbreak and is introducing several new faces on offense. Instead, the No. 10 Orange made it a laugher Saturday, defeating Binghamton 21-4 at the Carrier Dome for Syracuse’s largest margin of victory since 2009.
Twelve different players scored for the Orange, while Danny Varello (15-for-17), Seth Delisle (4-for-6), Nick Martin (3-for-3) and Nate Garlow (2-for-3) combined to go 24-for-29 on faceoffs.
“I'm almost a little surprised how well we played, especially early,” Syracuse coach John Desko said.
Brandon Bomberry scored five goals and Stephen Rehfuss added two goals and three assists to pace the Orange past the Bearcats, who are coming off an 11-5 season.
PHOTO BY JOHN STROHSACKER
Freshman midfielder Bubba Fairman was as good as advertised Saturday, scoring three goals in his collegiate debut as Maryland defeated Navy 10-4.
Maryland Stymies Navy
No Bryce Young, no problem.
No. 2 Maryland opened its NCAA championship defense with a 10-4 win over Navy in College Park on Saturday. Freshman Bubba Fairman scored three goals in his collegiate debut and goalie Dan Morris made 11 saves for the Terps, who won their 25th straight season opener.
Maryland’s defense — missing All-American Bryce Young, who did not play due to an undisclosed injury — fared just fine. The Terps held the Midshipmen scoreless for a stretch of 25 minutes, 23 seconds, during which they built an 8-2 lead.
Delaware midfielder Jake Hervada congratulates coach Ben DeLuca after a 16-12 win Saturday over Mount St. Mary’s at Delaware Stadium, DeLuca’s first game at the helm after replacing longtime coach Bob Shillinglaw.
Conry, DeLuca Win Debuts
New head coaches Kevin Conry and Ben DeLuca led Michigan and Delaware, respectively, to victories in their debuts Saturday.
Conry’s debut coincided with the unveiling of snowy U-M Lacrosse Stadium, as Michigan defeated Cleveland State 15-5 behind five goals by Brent Noseworthy and a three-goal, three-assist performance by freshman Alex Buckanavage in his first collegiate game.
In rainy Newark, Del., meanwhile, Will Hirschmann had seven points (four goals, three assists) to lead the Blue Hens to a 16-12 victory over Mount St. Mary’s.
Buckeyes Beat BU
Ohio State (2-0) scored the first eight goals of the game and went on to defeat Boston University 15-9. Canadian attackmen Jackson Reid (four goals) and Tre Leclaire (three goals, one assist) combined for eight points and goalie Matthew Smidt enjoyed a breakthrough performance with 15 saves against the Terriers (1-1).
Nike/US Lacrosse Top 20 Scoreboard
No. 1 Duke 19, Jacksonville 8
No. 2 Maryland 10, Navy 4
No. 3 Denver 11, Air Force 5
No. 7 Ohio State 15, Boston University 9
No. 8 Rutgers 12, St. John’s 8
No. 9 North Carolina 15, Furman 14 (OT)
No. 10 Syracuse 21, Binghamton 4
No. 16 Virginia 13, No. 11 Loyola 12 (2OT)
No. 12 Johns Hopkins vs. No. 19 Towson - 6 p.m. ET
No. 15 Army 18, UMass 6
No. 17 Penn State 15, Hobart 8
More Scores
Bucknell 14, Bryant 12
Colgate 18, Marist 12
Delaware 16, Mount St. Mary’s 12
Lafayette 10, NJIT 8
Lehigh 13, Mercer 8
Michigan 15, Cleveland State 5
Providence 9, Holy Cross 6
Sacred Heart 11, Stony Brook 9
UMBC 9, Richmond 6
Vermont 12, Fairfield 5
Wagner 11, Manhattan 5