Terps can’t solve Syracuse backup goalie as Orange win, 11-6
On the worst day of the season for Syracuse starting goalie John Galloway to be out with the flu, his replacement, Al Cavalieri was “sick.”
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That’s the description ESPN announcer Quint Kessenich used for Cavalieri’s back-to-back saves from point-blank range in Syracuse’s 11-6 victory over Maryland in the NCAA quarterfinals Saturday in Hempstead, N.Y.
Making the first start of his career, Cavalieri was a more than adequate replacement, making 13 saves. He shut out Maryland (10-7) for the first 16 minutes, 45 seconds, staking the defending NCAA champions to a 4-0 lead.
“They had a couple of quick shots. It seemed like they rushed it a little bit at the beginning,” said Cavalieri, who was informed that he would be the starter, “about three minutes before the game.”
In the second half, Cavalieri shut the Terps down for a span of 17:21, fueling a 5-0 run that swelled Syracuse’s lead to 11-4 and ended Maryland’s season for the second straight year in the quarterfinals.
The Terps got two goals each from midfielders Jeremy Sieverts and Grant Catalino and three assists from sophomore attack Ryan Young. But in the second half, Maryland had trouble clearing and getting into its offense.
The most demoralizing breakdown came when Syracuse senior defender Sid Smith made a strip at midfield, carried the ball downfield and fed junior defender Tyler Hlawati for his first goal of the season.
The game turned surreal for Maryland late in the first period when starting goalie Brian Phipps suffered an apparent torn ACL in his left knee, when jumping up and down in the crease after making a save.
Experienced senior Jason Carter replaced Phipps, but was no match for the quality chances generated by Syracuse (14-2), led by senior attack Kenny Nims (two goals, two assists), senior midfielder Dan Hardy (two goals), and senior attack Stephen Kehoe (two goals).
