No. 2 Syracuse men's lacrosse snaps 8-game losing streak to No. 1 Maryland

Orange defeat Terrapins 11-9 in Friday night showdown at JMA Dome

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The No. 2 Syracuse men's lacrosse team defeated the No. 1 Maryland Terrapins 11-9 at the JMA Dome on Friday night, snapping an 8-game losing streak to their rivals dating back to 2009. The game was played in front of a crowd of 10,159 fans.

Why it matters

This win is significant for Syracuse, as they have struggled against Maryland in recent years, losing 8 straight games to the Terrapins. The victory over the top-ranked team in the country will boost the Orange's confidence and standing in the national rankings as they look to make a deep postseason run.

The details

Syracuse attack Joey Spallina had a big game, scoring 4 goals and adding an assist. His teammates helped free him up with pick plays, allowing Spallina to work his magic. The Orange defense also delivered, with goalie Jimmy McCool making 9 saves and the unit playing an aggressive, physical style that matched Maryland's typical approach. The face-off battle between Syracuse's John Mullen and Maryland's Henry Dodge was closely contested, ending in a 12-12 tie, but Mullen's early advantage gave the Orange an edge.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Joey Spallina

A Syracuse attack who scored 4 goals and had 1 assist in the win.

Jimmy McCool

The Syracuse goalie who made 9 saves to anchor the Orange defense.

John Mullen

The Syracuse face-off midfielder who had an early advantage in the face-off X against Maryland's Henry Dodge.

Henry Dodge

The Maryland face-off midfielder who battled Mullen at the X, evening the count by the end of the game.

Braden Erksa

The Maryland attack who scored 2 goals in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“Maybe it just took playing a game on Friday the 13th for the Orange to break the hex the Terps had on them.”

— Brent Axe, Author (syracuse.com)

What’s next

The win over the top-ranked Terrapins will likely boost Syracuse's ranking and position them as a top contender for the national championship.

The takeaway

This victory over Maryland demonstrates Syracuse's ability to compete with and defeat the best teams in the country, setting them up for a potentially deep postseason run as they look to capture their first national title since 2013.