Syracuse lacrosse hosts No. 1 Maryland tonight in top-two showdown at the Dome
No. 2 Syracuse and No. 1 Maryland collide in a marquee men’s college lacrosse matchup at the JMA Wireless Dome on Friday, February 13, 2026, with faceoff set for 6 p. m. ET. It’s an early-season litmus test and a grudge match rolled into one as Syracuse seeks payback for last spring’s national semifinal exit.
Game setup and how to watch
The Orange welcome the Terrapins to Syracuse for a nationally televised contest at 6 p. m. ET. The game will be carried on a national cable sports network, with streaming options available through participating live TV providers. Fans heading to the Dome can expect a charged atmosphere for a rare 1-vs-2 regular-season clash.
High stakes for a February classic
This meeting feels bigger than a typical February game. It’s the first time Syracuse hosts a No. 1 opponent at the Dome while holding the No. 2 ranking itself, underscoring the program’s resurgence and the magnitude of the moment. Beyond poll position, the Orange have a long memory: Maryland ended Syracuse’s 2025 postseason in the NCAA semifinals with a decisive 14–8 result, and the broader series has tilted heavily the other way in recent years.
The Terps, perennial contenders with a century-plus of tradition, have made the Final Four 30 times and collected four NCAA titles. Their standard is consistency — they’ve finished. 500 or better every season — and the early returns this year suggest another deep-run blueprint is in place. For Syracuse, a win would be both a statement and a streak-stopper.
Recent form: Orange rolling, Terps tested
Syracuse arrives at 2–0, most recently dismantling Saint Joseph’s 20–2. Goaltender Jimmy McCool turned in a career-best afternoon with 10 saves on 12 shots before exiting in the third quarter once the outcome was secure. The lopsided win showcased the Orange’s depth, pace, and balance across the midfield and attack.
Maryland stands at 1–0 after handling Loyola 19–10, with another early-season game postponed due to weather. The Terps looked sharp in their opener, rediscovering their trademark blend of disciplined defense, efficient faceoff play, and clinical finishing. For both sides, tonight is the first opportunity to measure that form against elite opposition.
Series history and the revenge angle
Maryland has won eight straight meetings with Syracuse dating to 2009, a streak that has added edge to a rivalry between two bluebloods. The last time the Terps visited the Dome in 2024, they escaped with a 13–12 overtime thriller — a game that still stings in Central New York. The 2025 national semifinal only deepened the urgency for Syracuse, which has been building toward a performance that can flip this narrative.
Friday’s top-two billing amplifies all of it: the rankings, the Dome stage, and the cumulative weight of recent results. The Orange have an opportunity to seize control of the season’s early storyline; the Terps have a chance to reinforce their No. 1 perch in one of college lacrosse’s most intimidating venues.
What to watch: pace, possessions, and poise
- Possession game: Faceoffs and ground balls will drive tempo. Syracuse’s transition can punish even brief lapses, but extended Maryland possessions have a way of grinding down opponents and squeezing out high-quality looks.
- Goaltending: McCool’s hot start is a key subplot. If the Orange netminder carries that form into tonight, Syracuse can withstand runs and swing momentum with timely stops. Maryland’s shot selection and off-ball movement will test communication on the Orange back line.
- Discipline in crunch time: Close games in this series have hinged on late-game decisions — clearing efficiency, substitution timing, and special situations. Expect both coaching staffs to deploy matchup tweaks and defensive wrinkles after the first quarter settles.
The Dome factor and early-season stakes
It’s mid-February, but the Dome can mimic May when the stakes feel like this. The noise, sightlines, and indoor speed favor a confident home side, and Syracuse has fed off that energy in fast starts this season. For Maryland, composure is the currency; the Terps’ experience in big moments often shows up in second-half execution.
Whatever the final score says, this one should offer a clear read on both teams’ ceilings — Syracuse’s bid to reclaim a spot atop the sport and Maryland’s drive to maintain it. For fans, it’s a gift: a top-two clash with postseason pace and February urgency.
