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For the first time in more than two years, No. 4 Syracuse (4-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) meets No. 2 Duke (8-0, 0-0) in a midseason conference clash at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.

The Orange have won seven of their last eight matchups against the Blue Devils. But this year, Duke features arguably the best player in college lacrosse, Michael Sowers, and the top incoming freshman, Brennan O’Neill. The pair have combined for 71 points through eight games this season.

Here’s what our beat writers predict for Thursday evening’s contest:

Roshan Fernandez (3-2)
Can’t contain ‘em
Duke 19, Syracuse 16

If the same Syracuse team that showed up against Virginia reappears against Duke on Thursday, the Orange will win this game. But if you look at the rest of the season, the 10-goal thrashing of then-No. 2 UVA seems to be the outlier in Syracuse’s season thus far. The Orange haven’t looked as convincing as I might’ve expected against Vermont or Holy Cross, and though the loss against Army was weeks ago, I can’t help but wonder if SU’s defense could regress to that when faced with Duke’s strong transition play.

Syracuse will need to contain Sowers, O’Neill and Joe Robertson. It held UVA’s Matt Moore scoreless and contained Ian Laviano and Connor Shellenberger, but Duke is a different animal. I don’t know if SU can do it again.

Allie Kaylor (3-2)
Sower taste
Duke 18, Syracuse 14

Syracuse has been on-and-off every week this season. An all-around horrible game against Army in the season opener. A blowout against then-No. 2 UVA in game two. A close win over unranked Vermont. A blowout against Stony Brook. Then, 23% shooting last weekend against Holy Cross. If the pattern continues, Duke should be a walk in the park, right?

Even if it is another good week for Syracuse, it’ll have to be the best week of the season. By far. Syracuse crushed Virginia, the last ranked opponent it played, but Duke is not Virginia. Duke has the best player in the country in Sowers, the best freshman in the country in O’Neill and arguably the best goalie in the country in Mike Adler. If Syracuse is on, it still might not be able to beat Duke even on an average day for the latter. Barring a miracle, Duke wins this, although it’ll be close.

Arabdho Majumder (4-1)
Blue hell freezes over
Duke 17, Syracuse 19

The concern for Syracuse against Duke is at the back. Brendan Nichtern picked apart the Orange in their season-opener against Army from behind the cage, and Sowers could very well do the same thing. Robertson, O’Neill, Nakeie Montgomery — the list of Duke attackers who need just a sliver of space to put a goal on the board goes on and on. And, frankly, SU’s defense to date hasn’t impressed except for the second half against No. 9 Virginia.

On Thursday, I expect Duke to score in bunches. Sowers’ playmaking will be too difficult to contain, but that’s what Syracuse’s offense will overcome. The Orange are a championship contender this year because of the talent accrued on the offensive end. In this midseason matchup of two teams that could meet in the final weekend of college lacrosse, Syracuse’s attacking talent will give it a second marquee win over a conference opponent early in its ACC campaign.

Published on March 24, 2021 at 10:40 pm