SYRACUSE
2012 RECORD: 9-8 (3-3 BIG EAST) COACH: JOHN DESKO (15TH YEAR)
ORANGE 12
Feb 17 Albany Feb 24 Army Mar 1 Virginia Mar 9 vs. St. John’s* Mar 16 Johns Hopkins Mar 19 at Providence Mar 23 at Villanova Apr 6 at Princeton Apr 10 Cornell Apr 13 Rutgers Apr 16 Hobart Apr 20 at Georgetown Apr 27 vs. Notre Dame** * at PPL Park, Chester, Pa. ** at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
The holidays came a few months early for Syracuse when in mid-October former North Carolina star Nicky Galasso announced he was taking his talents upstate.
Hobbled last year by a preseason foot injury from which he never fully recovered, the 2011 ACC Freshman of the Year spent most of the season as a reserve and an extra-man specialist. Looking to re-establish himself as a premier Division I attackman, Galasso transferred to Syracuse amid fanfare. The Long Island native provides an unexpected boost. While the Orange is known for high-octane offense, the last few years have seen struggles at that end. In 2012, Syracuse averaged just 10.4 goals a game, its lowest output of the century. Whereas recent Orange attackmen have trended toward specialized roles, Galasso can feed, unload from 13 yards or when the time calls for it bully his way above the crease. “I’m really looking
forward to him coming in here, guns blazing,” senior midfi elder JoJo Marasco said.
Derek Maltz, a big
inside fi nisher with slick hands, will join Galasso on attack after a breakout season in 2012. Billy Ward, Kevin Rice and Dylan Donahue are among candidates to fi ll the third spot. At the midfi eld, Marasco is the headliner. As caretaker for Syracuse’s iconic jersey No. 22, the senior played
exclusively midfi eld for the fi rst time last season with mixed results. Although he had 19 assists, he shot just 18 percent. To improve his fi nishing, Marasco commuted to Toronto during summer weekends to play Junior A box lacrosse. Coach John Desko said the lefty slasher’s experience around smaller goals and in tighter confi nes helped expand his game. Complementing Marasco likely will be senior Luke Cometti,
a West Genesee (N.Y.) High product and crafty off-ball guy. Sophomore Hakeem Lecky provides an intriguing alley-dodging presence up top. “When he gets the ball in open space, he’s usually gone,” Maltz said of Lecky. Moreover, the Orange, who traditionally feast on fast breaks and odd-man rushes, seem both reinvigorated by and well suited for the NCAA rule changes that will make it tougher for teams to take the air of the ball — a common tactic against Syracuse. The Orange, which at one time had made 22 straight fi nal fours, has suffered three straight early NCAA tournament exits. “Every day you step on that fi eld, you’re practicing to get ready to play in May,” Marasco said. “It’s the biggest thing for us.”
— J.C. A Publication of US Lacrosse
Brian Megill
RIVAL COACHES SAY “Galasso gets viewed as a QB-type, but is he consistently going to draw slides? He could be in the mold of JoJo Marasco, who has plenty of skills but isn’t a go-to guy. (That’s why he gets played at midfi eld.)… Syracuse cannot get by on their name anymore. They do not have elite talent.”
TOP RETURNER D Brian Megill (Sr.) The two-time captain is aggressive, skilled and can cover almost any type of attackman. But his leadership might be most important. “When he steps into that huddle everyone knows to be quiet,” midfi elder JoJo Marasco said.
X-FACTOR M Hakeem Lecky (So.) Even as a freshman, the explosive midfi elder had little problem blowing past short sticks. But he converted on just 20 percent of his shots. “He’s a very hard person to cover 1-on-1,” Desko said. “He needs to make better decisions [shooting].”
PROJECTED STARTERS
A Derek Maltz (Jr.)* G: 28 A: 9
A Nicky Galasso (Jr.) G: 6
A: 3
A Billy Ward (So.) G: 2
A: 7
M JoJo Marasco (Sr.)* G: 12 A: 19
M Luke Cometti (Jr.) G: 11 A: 1
M Hakeem Lecky (So.)* G: 6
A: 1
FO Chris Daddio (Jr.) FO%: 49.0 GB: 20
LSM: Matt Harris (Jr.)* GB: 46 CT: 14
D Brian Megill (Sr.)* GB: 62 CT: 37
D Brandon Mullins (So.)* GB: 27 CT: 13
D David Hamlin (Sr.)* GB: 27 CT: 14
G Bobby Wardwell (So.)* GAA: 8.85 SV%: 52.5
*returning starters TELLING NUMBER
The last time Syracuse shook up its coaching staff, it won two NCAA titles. Veteran assistant Kevin Donahue will take the reins of the offense in 2013.
46
to turn the faceoff into a 50-50. Chris Daddio and Cal Paduda hope to strengthen the position. February 2013 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 41
Faceoff percentage in 2012. Syracuse was forced to use Megill
©JOHN STROHSACKER (ALL)
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