By Isabella Apple
SYRACUSE, NY -- The Orange were lucky to have a smooth-skating center with a great feel for the ice and even better passing-vision for the past four years.
Matt Jacobs has been an integral member of the Orange since he joined as a freshman in 2016. He began playing hockey as early as possible and grew up on skates as he always found joy in being on the ice.
One of his best hockey memories came before he even knew about Syracuse hockey. In high school, against their arch-rivals, Jacobs scored four goals with his whole high school at the game cheering him on.
Before joining the Orange, Matt played hockey anywhere and everywhere he could. Before high school, he played for both the Assabet Patriots and the Assabet Red Rangers. Once he moved onto high school he hopped around a bit, playing for the Lincoln Sudbury Warriors, the South Shore Kings, and the Northfield Mount Hermon.
In his time as an Orangeman, Jacobs’ has always put up numbers. As a freshman, Matt averaged .78 points per game, the second-highest percentage among rookies at the time. As he matured, so did his game. Over his junior and senior seasons, Jacobs’ has netted 24 goals, and assisted on 39 others. Most of those assists come off goals scored by his line-mate, housemate, and one of his best friends, Peter-Owen Hayward.
Matt’s Syracuse Hockey highlights include his very own moment-of-fame goal. Every hockey player dreams of the moment Jacobs’ was able to have in October of his junior year against their rival Liberty. Behind the defense on the breakaway - it’s just you and the goalie now, in overtime. Jacobs’ put the team on his back and called ‘game’. Syracuse wasn’t the only one who noticed, as Matt was given praise on ESPN’s Sportscenter for burying the game-winner.
Matt called being on ESPN a cool experience but, being the team player he is, Jacobs’ favorite memory in the blue and orange will forever be wining the ESCHL Championship.
“For Syracuse, my favorite moment is definitely winning the championship. We worked so hard and doing it with my best friends was unforgettable,” said the alternate captain.
Looking back, yes Matt will remember the goals, the celebrations, the wins, and the losses, but more so he’ll remember the hours of practice, the moaning and groaning before an early bus ride road trip, the post-win beers with his teammates. Lifelong friendships were forged on the ice, but solidified off of it.
As the duel, Economics and Political Science major said, “Playing hockey for Syracuse was the most amazing experience. I can’t thank the program enough for the memories and great friends I made and I will always have.”
And before he hangs ‘em up, the last stop on the farewell tour is back to where it all began. With his parents Mike and Mary dedicating their time to helping him pursue hockey. Matt wants to thank his family for their unconditional love and support.
Jacobs hopes to have time to travel the world after graduation before he settles down in the real world. He plans to stay close to home but also explore this unknown next step into adulthood on his own. As this last chapter of his young adult life closes he can only look forward to the amazing things to come, with his family, and his Syracuse Men’s Hockey family supporting him along the way.
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By e-mail: iengelha@syr.edu
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