Hobart–Syracuse lacrosse rivalry
First meeting | April 29, 1916 Hobart 9, Syracuse 1 |
---|---|
Latest meeting | March 23, 2024 Syracuse 13, Hobart 7 |
Trophy | Kraus-Simmons Trophy |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 107 |
All-time series | Syracuse, 81–26–2 |
Trophy series | Syracuse, 35–3–0 |
Largest victory | Syracuse, 16–0 (1928) Hobart, 23–7 (1975), 24–8 (1977) |
Longest win streak | Syracuse, 19 (1987–2005) |
Current win streak | Syracuse, 10 (2014–Present) |
The Hobart–Syracuse lacrosse rivalry is an
Series History
Early Years (Pre-1970s)
The series dates back to April 29, 1916 with a Hobart victory over the Orange.[6] After three consecutive victories by the Statesmen, Syracuse asserted dominance over the rivalry, with only one Hobart victory breaking up a 21 game unbeaten streak. The two would trade blows from 1937 to 1951, with Syracuse taking eight of sixteen matchups during this stretch. Another string of Orange victories with 11 straight victories was ended by an 11–10 Hobart win, the first of four straight victories for the Statesmen. Syracuse would follow with their own four game streak, ending in 1972.[5]
Divisional Golden Years (1970s to 1990s)
The introduction of the
In 1980, Syracuse would regain momentum. After their first NCAA tournament appearance
The Kraus-Simmons trophy was introduced in 1986, named for two Hall of Fame coaches, Roy Simmons Sr. for Syracuse and Babe Kraus for Hobart.[1][11] The 1986 game was a watershed for the rivalry, as the Statesmen upset the #1 Orange 16–13 in Geneva.[12] The game took place before a crowd of 8,450 at Boswell Field, despite it only officially seating 4,500.[13] Hobart completed its best season record-wise since the undefeated 1977 campaign, finishing at 15–1 and winning a seventh consecutive Division III title.
In the following years, Syracuse would continue its dominance of Division I while Hobart held put in the lower division. In 1987, Syracuse would avenge its upset from the prior year with a five goal differential. This would be the first of a series-record 19 straight victories for the Orange, as they captured five more championships under Hall of Fame coach Roy Simmons Jr.[14] The Statesmen would be unable to compete with the Orange, losing by 14 in 1994. That season would be Hobart's last in the lower divisions, as the program reclassified to Division I in an effort to preserve its rivalries with Syracuse and Cornell, though it would become one of the few non-Division I teams to play at the level without the use of athletic scholarships.[15]
Recent Years (1995 to Present)
Under coach B.J. O'Hara, the Statesmen would begin their first season in Division I in 1995 with three more championships in tow after the departure of Urick. The 1995 game featured renewed energy and fervor, as the #4 Orange nipped the #18 Statesmen 18 to 17 in what would be the highest scoring game until the 2020 edition.[16] The game would be a ranked affair for four of five meetings, highlighted by another narrow Syracuse win in 1997, an overtime result. Nonetheless, Hobart was unable to knock off the Orange during this stretch, as they made their first four appearances in the Division I tournament.
Syracuse edged past a ranked Hobart yet again in the 91st meeting but the following year, the Statesmen would snap the streak on the road, pulling out a 9–8 victory, their first since 1986.[17] Two years later, in 2008, the annual series was almost cancelled by a decision from Hobart's board of trustees, which voted to reclassify back to Division III. Emotional resistance from alumni halted the process and Hobart chose to remain at Division I in men's lacrosse.[3]
Hobart would again defeat Syracuse in 2013,
Rival Accomplishments
The following summarizes the accomplishments of the two programs as of 2020 season.[2][21]
Team | Hobart Statesmen | Syracuse Orange |
---|---|---|
Pre-NCAA National Titles | 1 | 5 |
NCAA National Titles |
15^ | 11* |
NCAA Final Four Appearances | 20^ | 27* |
NCAA Tournament Appearances | 26^ | 38* |
NCAA Tournament Record | 55–11^ | 68–27* |
Conference Tournament Titles | 1 | 4 |
Conference Championships | 3 | 5 |
Tewaarton Award Recipients | 0 | 3 |
Lt. Raymond Enners Award Recipients | 0 | 7 |
Consensus First Team All-Americans | 13 | 100 |
All-time Program Record | 788–512–20 | 917–352–16 |
All-time Winning Percentage | .605 | .720 |
- ^21 of Hobart's NCAA tournament appearances and all 15 titles came at either the NCAA Division II or III level
- Due to NCAA violations, Syracuse was forced to vacate its 1990 NCAA title and tournament appearance.
Game Results
Hobart victories | Syracuse victories | Tie games |
|
References
- ^ a b "Five Things to Know: #3 Syracuse vs. Hobart". Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ a b "Media Guide (PDF)" (PDF). Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ a b "It's Official--Hobart Staying...Plus the Smell of Lake Trout in the Morning... - The Fastest Blog on 2 Feet -". voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ magazine, Inside Lacrosse. "'David vs. Goliath' matchup still resonates for Syracuse, Hobart". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ a b "Hobart Lacrosse All-Time Records - Hobart and William Smith Colleges". hwsathletics.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ "Syracuse and Hobart to Battle for Kraus-Simmons Trophy Wednesday". Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ a b "DII Men's Lacrosse Championship History | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ "Hobart Lacrosse Year-by-Year". hwsathletics.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ "DIII Men's Lacrosse Championship History | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ Demling, Tanner (2019-11-27). "Diving Into College Lacrosse's Many Rivalries". Lacrosse Bucket. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ "DI Men's Lacrosse Championship History | NCAA.com". wwwcache.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ a b c "Rahme: Hobart vs. Syracuse Rivalry Outweighs Records". insidelacrosse.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ LAMBOS, PETE. "MEN'S LACROSSE: Statesmen fall to Orange in wild game". Finger Lakes Times. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ "Hobart reclaims Kraus-Simmons Trophy". Hobart and William Smith College Athletics. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ Holding, D. "NCAA Lacrosse: Hobart Rallies to Upset No. 5 Syracuse". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ DeSAIN, JOSHUA. "COLLEGE LACROSSE: The rivalry continues — Hobart set to face No. 4 Syracuse for the 100th time". Finger Lakes Times. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ Jastrzembski, Chris (2019-04-02). "Syracuse men's lacrosse: Orange back on the road against Hobart for Kraus-Simmons Trophy". Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ "2020 Hobart Lacrosse Quick Facts". hwsathletics.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ "Syracuse Lacrosse 2020 Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved 23 March 2019.