Owen Hiltz’s ‘best fall ever’ prepped him for senior campaign

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Owen Hiltz had one goal last fall: he didn’t want to look old anymore.

When Hiltz watched tape from his freshman season, he saw a clear difference from the past two campaigns. Hiltz admitted in his debut 2021 season, he was more spry and agile. Compare that to 2023 and 2024, where he contributed mainly through long-range shots and elite playmaking via skip passes, neither of which require much movement.

Hiltz wanted to change that ahead of his final season of eligibility, joking he hoped to “bring back his freshman year joints.” So, Hiltz spent more time in the gym than in his previous years at Syracuse, attempting to get in the best shape possible.

“It’s a different mindset this year for me,” Hiltz said. “It’s (my) last (season). So this is all I got for one last chance.”

It didn’t take long for Hiltz to impress Syracuse head coach Gary Gait during practices in September. The fourth-year head coach said Hiltz had “his best fall ever” since joining the program, and the success has transitioned to the spring. Hiltz is Syracuse’s joint-top goal-scorer (13), has totaled the second-most points (23) and has recorded at least four points in four of Syracuse’s first five games.

“He’s just a step quicker, he’s making better decisions (and) everything’s got a quicker pace to it,” Gait said of Hiltz.

Syracuse offensive coordinator Pat March also noticed Hiltz’s development, saying he looks “young and agile.” Gait and March both pointed to Hiltz’s summer playing for the Peterborough Lakers, a box lacrosse team in Ontario, Canada. Hiltz held his own in Major Series Lacrosse against some of the best box players in the world. He finished with 57 points (21 goals, 36 assists), which ranked 12th in the league.

It was the first time he had a fully healthy offseason since missing the entire 2022 season with a broken collarbone. Though he recorded 118 points over the next two seasons, second to Joey Spallina’s 156, Hiltz still dealt with lingering shoulder pain and worried he’d re-aggravate the injury.

Hiltz didn’t have the same desire to absorb hits as he did in 2021, when, as a freshman, he recorded the eighth-most points in program history. That hesitancy disappeared this summer after another surgery. Doctors told him his collarbone was stronger than it was pre-injury, so Hiltz started trusting it again.

“It gave me a little bit more confidence,” Hiltz said. “I played summer ball with some big dudes and didn’t get hurt. Playing against those guys who are a little bit bigger and know the spots to hit more than your average college defender was good for me.”

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Hiltz returned to Syracuse with the vigor he felt as an underclassman. When he arrived at SU, Hiltz was motivated to match the intensity of veterans Brendan Curry, Tucker Dordevic, Jamie Trimboli and Stephen Rehfuss. After those veterans graduated, Hiltz was thrust into an increased role within the offense, going from a tertiary option to one of Syracuse’s main goalscorers.

Though with the added responsibility, Hiltz’s drive wilted. He didn’t practice as hard or lift as much, admitting he sometimes took the easy way out because of body soreness.

“I saw myself slowly, but not fully losing that kind of edge,” Hiltz said.

Hiltz wasn’t proud of his habits. So, coming off Syracuse’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021, where it fell to Denver in the quarterfinals, he wanted to regain his competitive edge. Being his last season, he went all in. He gave more effort in practice, stayed longer in the weight room and set a better example for younger players.

During the fall 2024 semester, Hiltz only had a few classes, so he worked closely with strength and conditioning coach Anthony Pedrotti.

In previous years, the Orange conducted practice after lifts so Hiltz wouldn’t exert as much energy. This season, Syracuse moved its gym sessions to after practice, and Hiltz switched his mindset for the sessions. Pedrotti and Hiltz’s teammates pushed him to lift heavier weights, boosting his strength. He also took better care of his body, spending time before practice participating in physical therapy to make sure his joints were 100%.

After many ups and downs at SU, Hiltz is now in the best shape of his career. The redshirt senior is one of four players remaining from former Syracuse head coach John Desko’s tenure after he retired in 2021 following the Orange’s NCAA Tournament first-round exit. SU missed the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time under Gait before a resurgent 2024 season, where it won its first postseason game since 2017.

“He’s experienced a lot during his time here, from the dark days to hopefully bringing a National Championship this year,” sophomore attack Trey Deere said of Hiltz. “He understands what it’s like. He’s been on both sides.”

Hiltz wants to use his experience to lead Syracuse’s offense this season. March — who’s spent all five seasons with Hiltz — said his lacrosse IQ is unmatched nationally, while Deere added Hiltz “sees plays before they happen.” Deere, a fellow lefty attack, sits beside Hiltz in the locker room and constantly picks his brain about intricacies within the offense.

Off the field, Hiltz sends video clips to other attacks, like Spallina and Finn Thomson. The videos critique sequences from Syracuse’s recent games or sometimes come from Instagram when Hiltz sees something that could improve the Orange’s offense.

According to Thomson, mentorship is a new part of Hiltz’s repertoire. Hiltz previously tried to lead by example, but now he’s a more active communicator. If players aren’t trying hard or making the right plays, Hiltz gets on them, demanding better effort, Thomson said. If they’re not seeing something, Hiltz tells them his view and adjustments they can make.

“If (Hiltz is) talking in the huddle about lacrosse, you’re listening no matter what,” graduate student midfielder Sam English said.

On top of being more vocal, Hiltz is on pace for his best season yet, averaging a career-high 4.6 points per game, an increase from 3.82 last season. But Hiltz hasn’t hasn’t felt a major difference in his play.

Thomson and English slightly disagree. They said Hiltz’s playstyle hasn’t shifted drastically, but they’ve seen some of his traits enhanced. Thomson and English agree Hiltz has become even more aggressive.

March added Hiltz is also initiating the offense more often. That comes with some risk, considering Hiltz loves to toss wild diagonal passes to the opposite wing. Due to March’s familiarity with Hiltz, he allows it and trusts him to make the right plays.

“There’s some plays there you think aren’t going to be successful, and he turns them into plays, and you’re like, ‘Wow, did that really just happen?’” March said.

Even with Hiltz playing at an elite level, Syracuse has stumbled. The Orange have lost two straight games, the first against now-No. 2 Maryland on Feb. 15, where Hiltz was one of just two SU players with multiple goals. Hiltz’s six points weren’t enough to avoid a more shocking upset to No. 12 Harvard on Feb. 22.

So far this season, Syracuse isn’t on the path Hiltz expected, which entailed making a push for its first Final Four since 2013. If they turn it around, a revitalized Hiltz will certainly be a big part of it.

“This is the last year that I can really throw the (Syracuse) jersey on so I’m giving it my all,” Hiltz said.

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