Beat writers predict decisive result in Syracuse’s home opener against Colgate

No. 10 Syracuse opens the 2019 campaign against Colgate on Feb. 8 in the Carrier Dome at 7 p.m. SU last played against Cornell in May, when it lost 9-8 in the NCAA Tournament. The Orange returns most of their key contributors, as they look to reach championship weekend for the first time since 2009.

Here’s what our beat writers expect the happen in the home-opener:

Nick Alvarez (0-0)
War raided
Syracuse 17, Colgate 7

After thrashing Siena for four-consecutive years and dominating Binghamton a season ago, look for Syracuse to cruise in another home-opener. This time it’ll beat Colgate, a team that scored 11.9 goals per game in 2018. The Orange will temporarily answer their more pressing questions. Drake Porter and a returning defense will limit the Raiders’ top-two scorers Mike Hawkins and Griffin Brown, as the offense figures out how to replace Brendan Bomberry on the first line. Bradley Voigt makes a strong first impression with the starters and the midfield counters Tucker Dordevic most-recent injury with the returning Jared Fernandez. Like last year, the real test comes next week against No. 14 Albany.

Andrew Graham (0-0)
Light work
Syracuse 14, Colgate 3

Another season opener, another win for Syracuse. Colgate presents a slightly stronger matchup than the usual openers Siena and Binghamton. On Wednesday, John Desko said Syracuse needs to learn the Raiders personnel, their strengths and weaknesses, something the Orange failed to do in scrimmages so far. Still, Colgate should struggle to find chances against a stout and experienced Syracuse defense. The Orange offense — sans Tucker Dordevic — will find a groove and make it look easy, probably because to some degree, it is. There are questions to answer about replacing Brendan Bomberry and Dom Madonna and whether Danny Varello can get it done at the faceoff X. On Friday, against an overmatched opponent, the answers will come into focus when, of course, Syracuse wins its season opener.

Michael McCleary (0-0)
Same Deal
Syracuse 17, Colgate 9

This is probably a different Colgate team than the Orange faced a year ago. The Raiders have a new coach, and it’s the first game of the season — when CU still has a season worth fighting for. And, for all the benefits that this distinction brings, Syracuse is the same team as last year, just missing a few of its major pieces from a year ago. But even with a new goalie playing in a shot-clock era that will most likely lead to more shooting and an attack line without one of its best players from last year, Brendan Bomberry, Syracuse will be just fine. It’s the season opener, and Syracuse is 80-19 in those since the program began in 1916. It hasn’t lost one since it joined the Atlantic Coast Conference. There’s no reason to believe Friday won’t be much of the same.