Syracuse Orange: 'Cuse spring sports have gotten underway and seeing success so far

While the weather outside may not show it, Syracuse Orange spring sports have begun. And while I know many know that the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams have started (the women’s team is 1-0 and the men are 3-0 to start), there are other spring sports already seeing successful starts.

For some, it is only about football or only about basketball or just those two sports. For some, add in lacrosse and then that’s all there is but if that’s how you feel, you’re missing out on some fun.

Listen, I’m a Syracuse homer as I’ve said numerous times in the past. If my life allowed it, I’d drive to the campus and watch a Syracuse debate match in my best Orange outfit and start a “let’s go Orange!” chant if allowed.

So to me, seeing other Cuse programs start off with success brings me joy. And I know some might not care but that’s their loss because I can tell you it’s a fun time going to these games just as much as any other. I’ve been to a softball game, two men’s soccer matches, a couple of men’s lacrosse and a couple of women’s lacrosse games (along with numerous basketball and football games, of course) and hoping to catch others as life allows as well.

So let's talk about the success we’ve seen already from both lacrosse programs, the softball program, the tennis program and even dabble into the track and field events that Cuse has also seen some personal bests early on.

Here are some quick tidbits on a couple of Syracuse Orange spring sports teams.

Men’s & Women’s Lacrosse

There’s probably a chance most reading this know that the 6th-ranked women’s lacrosse team started the season with a 21-9 rout over the University of Albany (coached by former Cuse great Katie Rowan Thomson). And you might know that following an 18-7 win over 17th-ranked Towson, the 2nd-ranked men’s lacrosse team is now 3-0.

And the road only gets more difficult as the men will head to Maryland to play the 4thranked Terrapins for their first road game of the season. And the women’s team will face three ranked teams in their next four games, including 7th-ranked Maryland on Saturday, 3rd-ranked North Carolina the Saturday after and #2 Northwestern three days later in the JMA Wireless Dome (Maryland and Carolina are both roads games).

Softball

One of my favorite, most underrated Syracuse sports programs is the softball program. The team has started 5-0 at the UNC-Wilmington Tournament, and ESPN has announced that 4 of their road games this season will be televised on their network.

According to Cuse.com, the Orange have never started 7-0 and only once in 2022 started 6-0. They’ll head to Columbus, Georgia, this weekend to a tournament hosted by Army looking to achieve that goal. Also, according to Cuse.com, over the 35 innings they’ve played, the Orange pitching staff has only given up 15 hits and three runs in that time frame.

Tennis

I have to admit that I do not follow tennis much at all except the results, so I won't lie and act like I know the players or strategies. What I do know is that they are starting the season 6-0 including a win in the ACC against Boston College. And I do know that they play at the Drumlins Country Club on Nottingham Road and one day I would like to go to see the matches in person. I find I enjoy the sports more when I can actually go see the facilities and watch it in person, and their home matches are open to the public.

Track & Field

I also don't follow track much, sadly, but I have off and on occasionally. I can tell you that from what I have seen so far this season, sophomores Shayla Ford and Marissa Saunders seem to be having a great season so far. Both have set personal best records and won events so far this season. Shayla on the 400 meter at the Dr. Sander Scorcher event in NYC, and Marissa set a facility record and won the 60-meter hurdles at the Utica Blue and Orange Invitational this past weekend. I did follow track and cross country more frequently in the past and will try to do better in the future, and I do believe these athletes deserve some love and recognition as well for their achievements.