BALTIMORE – Andrew Boyle lasted nearly four years without scoring a goal. On Saturday, the senior on the Syracuse lacrosse team netted two goals in less than two minutes.

Boyle, a defensive midfielder, scored the first two goals of his career in Syracuse’s 12-6 win over Loyola. He also recorded an assist one minute into the second half, only the second of his career.

As a defensive middie, Boyle rarely sees an offensive opportunity. Although he was an attackman at Columbus High School in Ohio, his scoring drought became a running joke with teammate Ryan Hogan, who promised Boyle $20 if he ever scored.

With 1:23 remaining in the first half, Hogan’s wallet became a little lighter. After freshman Mike Leveille picked up a ground ball, he fed Boyle in front of the cage for the goal.

Then, with three seconds left in the half, Boyle notched his second goal, this time off a quick feed from Jarett Park.

‘Coach (Kevin Donahue) joked that I would come in as an attack on Tuesday,’ Boyle said after the game. As he spoke, Donahue and attack Brian Crockett walked by and shouted words of encouragement to the senior. ‘This is the man,’ Crockett yelled.

Third time’s a charm

There was no excuse for the announcer’s transgression. With 5:54 left in the first quarter, Leveille, SU’s heralded freshman, scored to give the Orange a 3-0 lead. That’s when the public address announcer goofed.

‘Syracuse goal by Mark Leveille,’ he announced.

He should have known better. He had plenty of practice with Leveille’s name. The freshman scored three goals – all within the first five minutes of the game – and added one assist Saturday.

In the process, he took over as the team leader in goals with 17. He passed Greg Rommel, who scored one goal against Loyola.

‘He’s a very good lacrosse player,’ said SU head coach John Desko. ‘He’s playing quite more like a sophomore (than just a freshman).’

Breathing room

Saturday’s six-goal advantage was the largest margin of victory this season. SU had won its previous three by a combined four goals. Previously, the largest margin of victory was five, after a season-opening 9-4 win over Army.

‘This was nice,’ Leveille said. ‘It was a lot more comfortable. We’ve had a lot of close games this year.’

Loyola never threatened. The Orange rushed to a 5-0 lead before Loyola’s first goal with 12:27 remaining in the first half.

This and that

Four SU players took face-offs Saturday. Danny Brennan, Geoff Keough, Chris DiMarco and Jon Jerome combined to win 7-of-22 face-offs from the X. ‘We’re starting to be more experienced there,’ Desko said. … Sophomore middie Joe D’Arrigo scored his first goal as a Syracuse lacrosse player with 1:00 left in the third quarter. D’Arrigo transferred from Cornell, where he had two goals in 2003. … The marching band at Diane Geppi-Aikens Field played instrumental versions of hip-hop hits ‘Head Sprung’ by LL Cool J and ‘Lean Back’ by Terror Squad.

Published on April 9, 2005 at 12:00 pm