While Dylan Donahue and Kevin Rice bull rushed the box score in Syracuse’s (1-0) 19-7 win over Siena (0-1) on Monday night, the Orange vaunted a very balanced attack in the first half.

SU held a 13-4 advantage at halftime, and 10 different players had found the back of the net. That list included Donahue — who finished with a game-high eight goals — seniors Derek Maltz, Matt Harris, Billy Ward and Scott Loy, juniors Randy Staats, Henry Schoonmaker and Hakeem Lecky and freshmen Jordan Evans and Nick Weston.

Aside from Donahue and Maltz, no other player tallied more than one goal, but SU head coach John Desko said it was good to see the offense clicking across lines.

“I think we’ve got a lot of guys returning from last year’s team and are comfortable with the offense that we’ve been running,” Desko said. “I just think the guys were anxious to play.”

Donahue scored six of his eight goals on assists from Rice, which forced the Siena defense to key on the two. And after the pair connected for the game’s first goal two minutes in, they wouldn’t hook up for another goal for 15:03.

Instead, Siena goalie Tommy Cordts faced shots from just about every angle and every stick that Desko put on the field.

“I thought guys were ready to play right from the beginning,” Desko said, “and we got some early goals and kind of controlled the game as we went through.”

The Saints couldn’t match the Orange’s speed in the midfield, which allowed the front line to work in space and spread the ball around.

The midfielders penetrated the attacking third which forced the last line of defenders to step up, leaving the left room behind the net for Rice and Staats and room in front for the diving trio of Donahue, Maltz and Ward.

“I think we have to give them credit,” Rice said, “because they were beating their guys and forcing rotations from the close defenders.”

The Orange’s quick midfield and air-tight defense created transition opportunities, as well.

Weston, Lecky and Harris all scored unassisted goals on the break, and Evans caught a pass in space and whipped a shot over Cordts’ left shoulder from far out.

By the time Donahue and Rice reconnected and started their conquest of the Orange’s home opener, the team’s well-rounded attack had helped push the game out of reach.

Said Donahue: “We’ve all been working all day together and it’s been fun to play with everyone.”

Published on February 11, 2014 at 1:05 am

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