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Message: [QUOTE="OrangeXtreme, post: 5459969, member: 41"] [HEADING=1]2. SYRACUSE[/HEADING] [B]2025 record:[/B] 13-6 (2-2 ACC) [B]Last seen:[/B] Paying a steep price for nearly every one of its first-half mistakes in a 14-8 loss to Maryland in the NCAA semifinals. [B]Projected starts lost:[/B] 57 of 190 (30 percent) [B]Projected scoring departing:[/B] 135 of 412 points (32.8 percent) [B]Initial forecast:[/B] Let’s not diminish the Orange’s losses to graduation; attackman Owen Hiltz (46G, 27A), midfielder Sam English (24G, 14A), defenseman Michael Grace and short stick Carter Rice were all on Premier Lacrosse League rosters this summer and were immensely vital figures in the program’s first semifinal appearance since 2013. Nevertheless, Syracuse’s window to win a championship might be open a little wider now that it has some championship weekend experience, and it has a loaded senior class that should be especially incentivized. The Orange have six double-digit scorers back, led by Joey Spallina (35G, 55A), Michael Leo (32G, 12A), Luke Rhoa (27G, 6A) and Finn Thomson (23G, 7A). It brings back one of Division I’s best faceoff men in John Mullen (.630) and a goalie Jimmy McCool (.535SV%), who was superb against ACC competition. That’s a lot to work with coming off a deep run, and it will give Syracuse a chance to win its first national championship since 2009. Is the Orange more consistent in 2026? Does it adopt a title-or-bust attitude — as many of its fans likely will — and deal with the challenges inherent with that approach, or can it take a more narrow, short-term outlook each week? And can it be more buttoned up in the back half of May should the opportunity arise? Syracuse has made steady progress in its first four seasons under Gary Gait. If the Orange takes another step, it will play on Memorial Day. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?