Observations from SU’s win over Colgate: Spallina makes history, Leo’s 4 goals
Joey Spallina recorded seven points and broke the program's points record as No. 5 Syracuse took down Colgate 14-7. Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.
The JMA Wireless Dome has been a fortress for Syracuse all season. Entering Saturday, the Orange had won all six home games this season. Opponents wilt under the bright lights and get swallowed by the atmosphere.
SU hasn’t just beat up on mid-majors. It’s taken down heavyweights like Maryland, Georgetown, Virginia and Duke. Mid-majors BU and Saint Joseph’s suffered the same fate. Colgate isn’t one to back away from a fight, bringing an aggressive and free-flowing style that’s been on display in its last two trips to the Dome.
The Raiders certainly gave Syracuse everything it could handle Saturday. In the end, the Orange were just too talented and maintained their perfect record at the Dome in 2026.
Joey Spallina finished with seven points, while Michael Leo and Finn Thomson recorded four goals each. Jimmy McCool continued to be solid in net, saving 58.8% of the shots he faced.
Here are some observations from No. 5 Syracuse’s (11-3, 2-1 Atlantic Coast) 14-7 win over Colgate (5-7, 4-3 Patriot League):
Spallina makes history
Joey Spallina came into Saturday on the precipice of history. With 306 career points, he was two shy of breaking Mike Powell’s all-time points record at SU. The record has been attainable for the past few weeks. Spallina was seven points shy when Syracuse met North Carolina in Chapel Hill, though he was held without a point. A five-point outing versus Virginia last week set up Saturday’s milestone.
Spallina’s first point of the day came easy. Syracuse was aggressive on the ride, and Spallina intercepted a pass from Nick Lancaster before finishing into an open net. Later in the first quarter, Spallina dodged around from X, firing a behind-the-back pass to Michael Leo. The attack followed suit with a slick behind-the-back finish to put Syracuse up 4-2 and give Spallina the record.
Individual accolades don’t amuse Spallina. He only wants to win a national championship in May. However, sitting alone as Syracuse’s all-time points leader shouldn’t be glossed over.
Spallina’s day didn’t end after he broke the record. There were still three-plus quarters left. Toward the end of the first quarter, Leo found Spallina, who released another behind-the-back shot past Andrew Lehrman.
Dealing with Colgate’s ride
Colgate is one of the most aggressive riding teams in the country. Head coach Matt Karweck loves to muck up the middle of the field and create chaos by forcing turnovers. Last week, Syracuse dealt with Virginia’s combative 10-man ride by simply clearing the ball as soon as possible. If McCool made a save, he looked for an immediate outlet.
When Colgate set up its ride, SU had trouble getting the ball across midfield. McCool tried hitting Leo on a long pass early, but it was intercepted by Sam Erickson.
The easy option for beating the ride is having someone chuck the ball as far as possible and have someone on the endline for the backup. Sometimes it’s not that simple. McCool tried scoring into the empty net, but missed, and Colgate had the backup.
Later in the half, McCool’s pass was picked off, and Carter Cadin took it the entire way for a score.
“They just play a frenetic style, so they’re kind of all over the place,” SU offensive coordinator Pat March said Thursday. “They’re a little different than a lot of teams, so it’s hard to replicate that in practice.”
Syracuse only failed one clear in the first quarter but was 4-for-7 in the second where it became a struggle. The second half was more straightforward because Syracuse started pushing the ball faster before Colgate got settled. The Orange finished 20-of-24 on clears.
Leo’s 1st quarter hat trick
Michael Leo has been thriving at attack in his senior season. He played the position in high school but was mostly a midfielder during his first three years with Syracuse. After Owen Hiltz graduated, Leo was his replacement, and he’s done a superb job this year.
With 24 goals and 18 assists through 13 games, Leo’s been playing at an All-ACC level. On Saturday, he continued to show his scoring prowess. He opened the scoring for Syracuse, slipping free after Colgate’s aggressive ride backfired.
Leo got his second in similar fashion. He found himself wide open in front of the crease. After a quick pirouette, Leo had an easy finish. Later in the first quarter, he finished Spallina’s record-breaking pass to complete his hat trick.
The fourth required a little patience. Leo waited at X while his defender was hung up. For about 30 seconds, Leo waited before curling around for a precise shot. He had a quiet second half, but his early work helped Syracuse secure the win.
Creating breathing space
Colgate is always up for a battle against Syracuse. Being a mid-major, the Raiders often have nothing to lose when they come to the Dome. That can make for some danger. Syracuse controlled most of the first half but only led by three. The Orange hit the post numerous times and had shots whiz just wide of the frame.
Lacrosse games can be flipped on their head within a 30-second stretch, so the game was far from over at the break. Especially when Colgate grabbed the first goal of the second half after Dante Bowen was called for a two-minute cross check to the head.
The Orange killed off the rest of the penalty, but their lead was the slimmest it’d been since the first quarter. Some groans filled the Dome as Syracuse failed to get a possession for nearly three minutes.
The nerves were calmed once Luke Rhoa found Finn Thomson to put Syracuse up three. Greg Elijah-Brown added another on a man-up chance. Soon after, Spallina hit his brother Jake in transition to complete Syracuse’s 3-0 run.
Colgate could’ve shelled up and mailed in the final quarter and a half. Instead, the Raiders made life difficult for the Orange. Once again, they cut SU’s lead to three entering the fourth quarter.
Like in the third, Syracuse punched back to create some breathing room. Three straight scores from Thomson made it 13-7. The last two were set up by Spallina as they showed off an almost telepathic connection.
