We’re back, baby!
A new month brings a new lacrosse season, although not new weather as a winter freeze hijacks the opening weekend up and down the east coast.
But you know what they say about sunny and 70 inside the Dome, and those perfect conditions will greet the No. 3 ranked Syracuse Orange men’s lacrosse team as they open their season against the No. 17 Boston University Terriers for the first ever meeting between the programs.
Opening face-off is scheduled for 1 PM on ACC Network Extra.
BU is coming off a solid season in 2025 in which they finished 11-5 (6-2 Patriot League) and missed out on the NCAA Tournament by one game when they fell to Colgate in the Patriot League tournament final, 17-10.
They enter 2026 with a similar feel, as they were picked to finish second behind Army in the Patriot League preseason poll.
Running it back
They were a relatively young team last year, with five of their top six scorers not only back, but three of them coming off stellar true freshman seasons. Two of those players, Timothy Shannehan and Andrew Pape, were named to the Patriot League preseason team.
Shannehan was especially spectacular with 61 points on 32 goals and 29 assists, earning First Team All-Patriot League and league rookie of the year in a special first season for the Terriers. He was also named a preseason All-American this year as a result of his efforts. An attackman, he’ll likely be guarded by Riley Figueiras due to his diminutive stature.
Senior Jimmy Kohr brings a veteran presence for BU after scoring 57 points and leading the team with 43 goals last season.
The youth isn’t limited to the offense as FOGO Madden Murphy won an impressive 55.1 percent of his draws as a freshman last season.
On defense, senior Connor Kehm was named to the Patriot League preseason team on the back of a career year as a junior when he set career bests with 30 caused turnovers and 56 ground balls.
10-man ride
One of the defining features of BU’s style of play is their 10-man ride, which was one of the most effective in the country last season.
The Terriers finished last year third nationally in opponent clearing percentage, with their opposition only clearing successfully 74.7 percent of the time.
It is no easy task to have to face a 10-man right out of the gates to start the season, but the Orange have practiced for it in the lead up and it will provide a good early test for their composure.
Man-up dominance
BU is coming off an outstanding year for their EMO unit, which led the country last year in man-up offense with a 56.4 conversion percentage.
In another nod to their youth, 26 of the 31 goals scored on their man-up last year (83.9 percent) were scored by players who return this season. Jimmy Kohr led the way for them with nine EMO tallies.
