AMHERST, Mass. — The offense has bailed the Syracuse University men's lacrosse team out of a few precarious situations this season.

The Orange's defense did its part Saturday as third-ranked SU pulled away from No. 16 Massachusetts, 10-3, before 13,722 fans at McGuirk Stadium. It was the largest crowd to attend a UMass home lacrosse game since 1989.

Syracuse (11-2) received a 14-save performance from sophomore John Galloway. The West Genesee product made 10 stops in a game-changing second half. The Orange outscored the Minutemen 6-1 over the final 30 minutes.

SU close defenders Sid Smith and John Lade held UMass' top scorers Jim Connolly and Tim Balise to a combined two goals. Smith also collected a career high six ground balls.

After trailing 2-1 in the first quarter, Syracuse buried three consecutive goals. Josh Amidon's unassisted tally late in the frame gave the Orange a 3-2 lead it wouldn't relinquish. SU's sophomore midfielder finished with two goals and an assist.

Watertown native Kenny Nims gave Syracuse a 4-2 halftime advantage by scoring his only goal early in the second period. The senior captain added three assists, and he extended his point-scoring streak to 29 games.

Senior goalie Doc Schneider kept the Minutemen (8-5) in the game with 12 first-half saves. The Orange put 16 of its first 21 shots on goal in the first 30 minutes.

SU solved Schneider in the third quarter, however, with four more goals from Amidon, Matt Abbott, Scott Kahoe and Kevin Drew. The third period was also Galloway's best frame as he turned aside six shots.

Connolly scored twice for UMass, and Ryan Marcus added the other tally. Schneider finished with 17 saves.

nNOTES:Watertown'sGreg Niewieroskisat out with a left leg injury. SU's senior midfielder has missed the last two games. ... Sophomore attackStephen Keoghled the Orange with three goals. ... JuniorCody Jamiesonappeared in his first game for Syracuse late in the fourth quarter.

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