SYRACUSE, N.Y.—The fourth-ranked Syracuse University men's lacrosse team controlled the non-conference game against Hobart College tonight from the start, defeating the Statesmen 18-5 in The Carrier Dome.
 
The Orange came into the contest ranked in the top 10 in the nation in 11 of the 15 statistical categories the NCAA tracks, but had lost two of its last three games. SU was also celebrating Senior Day, recognizing 16 members of the Class of 2015 prior to the start of the game.
 
Syracuse (9-2) built a 4-0 lead after 15 minutes, including a pair of goals from Dylan Donahue (3g). The Orange offense, which is second in the nation in goals per game (15.2) and fifth in shooting percentage (.349), found another gear in the second quarter. SU scored eight times before halftime to carry a 12-0 lead into halftime. Randy Staats (4g,2a) and Nicky Galasso (1g,1a) each scored twice in the frame.
 
In the first half, the Orange outshot Hobart 27-9, had a 17-7 advantage in ground balls, won 11 of 12 faceoffs, and committed five fewer turnovers. Statesmen goalie Jackson Brown had 10 saves in the first half on his way to 14 in 52:33.
 
Syracuse stayed hot to start the third quarter, netting three more goals before sophomore Gavin Llewellyn broke through for the Statesmen. Junior Matt Opsahl fired one home off an assist from senior Taylor Vanderbeek three minutes later to make it a 15-2 game. The Orange added another goal in the final minute of the frame to take a 16-2 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
The teams alternated goals to start the final quarter with junior Frank Brown and junior Sam Washburne scoring for the Statesmen. First-year Spencer Passmore followed Washburne's marker with his first collegiate goal to complete the evening's scoring.
 
Senior Zach Reed finished with a team-high three ground balls for the Statesmen. Ben Williams picked up a game-high five ground balls for the Orange.
 
First-year Chre Teitelbaum came in for the final 7:27 in goal for Hobart. Bobby Wardwell started the game in goal for the Orange and made four stops in 38:20. Warren Hill came in for 12:46 and stopped five shots (2 GA), and Evan Molloy closed out the game in goal for Syracuse (8:54, 2 svs, 2 GA).
 
The Orange finished with a 52-26 advantage in shots and a 30-18 lead in ground balls. Syracuse won 17 faceoffs, while the Statesmen came away with eight. The Orange were successful on 16-of-18 clear attempts, while Hobart finished 15-of-20 tries.
 
Hobart (7-4, 4-0 NEC) will be back in action at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, when the Statesmen visit Saint Joseph's (8-5, 4-0). The winner of the game is assured of at least a share of the Northeast Conference regular season championship and earns the right to host the NEC Championship Tournament.