Brendan Curry dodged from X, and as he did most of the night, created separation. He then found Stephen Rehfuss open on the crease, who slammed home his third goal of the game.  

The goal, and the way it was created, was indicative of the dominant performance No. 12 Syracuse delivered — one that should hopefully quell the doubts of the Orange faithful, at least for a week. 

A week after a disappointing season-opening home loss to Army, Syracuse (1-1) returned to the Carrier Dome and found their rhythm in a 20-10 win over No. 3 Virginia (3-1). “THAT is Syracuse lacrosse,” the team’s twitter account proclaimed after the victory. 

“Obviously after last week it was great to come out and have a whole team effort,” Syracuse coach John Desko said during a postgame Zoom conference. “I thought it was what the doctor ordered. We needed that one.”

In a series in which the last five games were decided by one goal, the Orange instead decided to make a statement. Seven players scored at least two goals for Syracuse and lent credence to the notion that the biggest improvement for a team comes between its first and second game. Four players registered hat tricks. 

Curry, a senior midfielder and co-captain who earned US Lacrosse Magazine Preseason first team All-American honors, led the way with seven points on three goals and four assists. 

“We have a bunch of gamers, and we love playing in the Dome,” Curry said. “Today, that was all out there.”  

Like much of the game, the first half featured a frenetic pace and a combined 55 shots. After Syracuse raced out to a 2-0 advantage off goals from Lucas Quinn and Chase Scanlan, Virginia stormed back with a four-goal run from four different players — a testament to UVA’s wealth of scoring options.

“They put six guys out there, and it’s kind of pick your poison,” Desko said. 

Merrimack transfer Charlie Bertrand (two goals), who grew up less than 20 minutes away from the Carrier Dome in Baldwinsville (N.Y.), extended the Cavaliers lead to 4-2 with a bounce shot after beating his man top side. After Quinn’s second goal of the game cut Virginia’s lead to one, Bertrand face-dodged through the middle of the Syracuse defense to put the Cavaliers up 5-3. 

The Orange, however, responded and frequently found success by targeting the Cavaliers’ short stick matchups behind the cage through inverts. The Orange initially planned to invert with only their second line midfield, but after the scheme proved effective on goals from Quinn and Owen Seebold, offensive coordinator Pat March implemented it with the first line, too. 

Curry kicked off a four-goal run with an inside roll dodge near goal line extended to score with 16 seconds left in the first quarter. After tallying 11 goals against Army, the Orange’s offense, that averaged 16.6 goals per game in 2020, looked far more fluid in its second contest. 

“A lot of teams aren't comfortable with their shorties behind, so we were able to attack them there," Curry said. “And then we have unbelievable set shooters that we could just toss it up to.”  

Syracuse also proved capable of eluding the Cavalier’s vaunted ride (18 of 21 on clears) and turned the aggressiveness into transition opportunities. After a long outlet pass from Drake Porter, Curry found freshman Owen Hiltz, who then dished it to Rehfuss open on the wing. The goal gave the Orange a 9-7 lead entering halftime. 

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How To Break the Ride
This from @CuseMLAX

The hosts lead @UVAMensLax 9-7 at halftime. Could we see a classic finish? pic.twitter.com/JofFRX9bXZ

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 28, 2021

“Transition is a trademark of Syracuse lacrosse,” Desko said. “We're going to take it when we have it.” 

Rehfuss (three goals, three assists) returned the favor to assist Hiltz on a fastbreak to open the second-half scoring. Hiltz (three goals, two assists) was inserted into the starting lineup at attack in only his second career game. He proved why he was Inside Lacrosse’s second-ranked incoming freshman in 2020 with a quick release and poise under pressure. 

“He doesn’t play like a freshman,” said Rehfuss, a fifth-year redshirt senior who’s led Syracuse in assists the past three seasons and deferred admission to Albany Law School for another chance to play for the Orange. “Doesn’t act like a freshman at all.” 

Watch on @ACCNetwork pic.twitter.com/wLocDV1XNS

— Syracuse Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX) February 28, 2021

The goal echoed the Orange’s relentless approach in the third quarter, a period during which they outscored Virginia 7 to 3 to build a 16-10 lead. A week after he scored four goals and was one of the few bright spots on the offense, Tucker Dordevic registered a hat trick, including two goals in the third quarter on powerful time-and-room shots. The Orange’s much acclaimed first-line midfield combined for eight goals. 

Drake Porter (13 saves) and the Syracuse defense closed the door on a potential Virginia comeback and held Matt Moore to zero goals a week after he scored five against Loyola. Jakob Phaup also allowed Syracuse to control possession. Despite going against Petey LaSalla, who entered the game winning 73 percent of his faceoffs, Phaup prevailed in the matchup winning 22 of 33 draws. 

Syracuse held Virginia scoreless in the fourth quarter and tacked on four goals to ice the statement win. They closed the game on a 7-0 run. 

That big win energy.

pic.twitter.com/ByhiqWWL8U

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 28, 2021

Ian Laviano led the Cavaliers with three goals, while Connor Shellenberg and Payton Cormier each tallied two goals and one assist. 

Virginia’s Alex Rode made 18 stops after being unavailable for two games following a season-opening win against Towson.The Cavaliers will look to turn things around quickly on Wednesday when High Point comes to Charlottesville.