Rutgers Falls to Top Ranked Syracuse, 17-9
Apr 12 | Men's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers men's lacrosse team pulled to within four goals with just under seven minutes remaining in the game, but a potent Syracuse attack proved to be too much as the top-ranked Orange picked up a 17-9 win at Yurcak Field Saturday afternoon.
The Scarlet Knights, who have dropped back-to-back games to Top 20 opponents after winning two straight, fall to 4-6 on the year. Syracuse, which is ranked No. 1 in the latest USILA Coaches Poll, has now won eight straight games and sits at 10-1 on the year.
Rutgers was led by sophomore Justin Pennington (Flemington, N.J.), who scored three goals, his third hat trick of the season. Freshman Kory Kelly (Princeton, N.J.) and sophomore Taylor Bottar (Syracuse, N.Y.) each netted two goals for the Scarlet Knights.
Syracuse jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before Pennington notched his first goal at the 3:59 mark of the first quarter. Stanwick followed shortly after with a tally off a Collin Donahue (Camilus, N.Y.) assist to end the first quarter with SU on top 3-2. However, a 5-0 Syracuse run to start the second quarter would dig a deep hole for the Scarlet Knights. Kelly ended the Orange run with a goal just 53 seconds before the end of the half to cut the SU lead to five at the intermission.
Kelly would score his second straight goal to start the third quarter, but a 3-0 Syracuse run would sway momentum back to the Orange. RU would not go away though as Pennington, Bottar and Jeff Rommel (Syracuse, N.Y.) would score three of the games next four goals to pull RU to within five at 12-7. After a Stephen Keogh goal for the Orange, Bottar and Pennington would record goals for RU to cut the Syracuse lead to 13-9. Syracuse would finish the game strong, though, scoring the game's final four goals to clinch the 17-9 win.
Rutgers will return to ECAC play Sunday, April 20 when the Scarlet Knights travel to take on Penn State. The game is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
