Beat writers split on Syracuse-Cornell senior day matchup

No. 9 Syracuse (6-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast) meets No. 8 Cornell (7-3, 2-2 Ivy) Tuesday in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse is coming off a dominant win over Hobart and looks to build off it with a second top-10 win.

Here’s what the beat writers expect for the outcome of the game.

Andrew Graham (6-3)
Red Dawn
Cornell 15, Syracuse 13

Syracuse is humming along again after smoking Hobart nearly a week ago, but despite relative offensive rankings, don’t make any mistake: Cornell is a much better team than the Statesmen. With Jeff Teat, Clarke Petterson and John Piatelli as the nucleus, the Big Red’s offense is as potent and variable as any in the country. Nick Mellen should have his hands full with Teat, leaving the five other defenders to stop the five other attackers. I lean offense when I think about those matchups. And if this game turns into a shootout, advantage Cornell. For so long, Syracuse has held claim to being the dominant force in New York college lacrosse. But in recent years, the likes of Army, Albany, Colgate and Cornell have caught up. Tuesday will be another reminder of how much the gap has closed.

Michael McCleary (6-3)
Red Dead Redemption
Syracuse 15, Cornell 14

Well, that was quick. Syracuse has done the losing thing before. It’s looked vulnerable in games and responded with a few quick wins to keep its season on a strong pace. That’s exactly what happened last week, when the Orange marched to the homefield of one of the best offenses in the country (statistically, that is) and held them to a season-low mark. I don’t see that happening Tuesday — Cornell’s offense is just too powerful — but I can see SU finding some other way to win. The Big Red’s defense is not particularly strong, and I expect Syracuse to find frequent holes. This is bound to be a high-scoring game, and at times it might appear to be developing into a shoot-out. But when it comes to the end of the game, I think Syracuse is ready to make a final stop, and Cornell isn’t.

Nick Alvarez (4-5)
If you don’t chew Big Red…
Syracuse 16, Cornell 14

It’s another week and another top-offense for Syracuse to outscore. A week ago, they easily handled Hobart in what would’ve been a historic upset had the Statesmen won. Against the Big Red on senior night, it’ll be more of the same. Mellen is in a groove and didn’t allow Hobart’s top-scorer Chris Aslanian to record a point. Mellen will have a familiar assignment on Tuesday in All-American Teat. It’ll also be key to stop Petterson, who totaled five scores in the Carrier Dome last season. If SU can have an answer for him and Jakob Phaup can find momentum at the faceoff-X, then the Orange may have a chance to avenge a 2018 first-round NCAA tournament loss.