Syracuse plays Hobart in lacrosse. Photo Credit: Initra Marilyn, The Juice Online
Syracuse struggled on defense on Saturday, but goalie Drake Porter had a career day as the No. 6 Orange avoided an upset, holding off unranked Vermont, 17-13, on Saturday afternoon at the Carrier Dome.
SU jumped out to an early 7-4 lead, and appeared poised to break away after Stephen Rehfuss’s goal with 4:40 left in the first half gave the Orange a 10-5 lead. But Vermont stayed closed, and pulled to within three goals twice in the fourth quarter, and as late as 4:11 to go after Brock Haley’s unassisted goal made it 16-13.
Appearing in three of the past four America East title games (2016, 2018, 2019), the Vermont Catamounts have been one of the stronger mid-majors in college lacrosse, and certainly one of the strongest teams within their conference, in recent years.
They held a 3-1 record and looked to be a contender for the America East title once again during the shortened 2020 season. Their three victories came against Quinnipiac, Merrimack, and Dartmouth. They lone loss was to Holy Cross.
Since Chris Feifs’ inaugural season in Burlington (2017), the Catamounts have certainly had excellent pieces on both ends of the field. But this program’s identity has been and remains on defense. Vermont ranked 14th in scoring defense in 2017, seventh in 2018, 10th in 2019, and fourth during the shortened 2020 season. They also have also had the luxury of having one of nation’s premier goalies, Nick Washuta, in between the pipes each of those four seasons.