Syracuse Adjusts, Prevails on the Fly
by C.R. Vaccaro | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online
As Syracuse celebrated its 11-6, NCAA quarterfinal win over Maryland at Hofstra University, there were a few glaring elements that stood out in its glee.
The Orange can play through adversity, having to use backup goalie Al Cavalieri -- at the center of the celebration -- as a starter for the first time all season.
Syracuse (14-2) also managed to play its second and third attack and midfield units soundly, and its ability to adjust in key transition times of the game will be useful in its NCAA final four matchup against Duke on Saturday in Foxboro, Mass.
Maryland head coach Dave Cottle complimented Cavalieri and his ability to shine when it counted most, but his praise was mainly for the Orange's offense.
"We just couldn't keep up scoring with them," he said. "They're not only a very talented offensive team, but they make nice adjustments. We were pushing them when they were sliding, but in the second half they started pull passing instead of rolling back. It caused us some problems."
Cottle said the bottom line in beating Syracuse is scoring more than six goals, which is something Duke has done in every game this season, except for a 10-6 loss to Cornell on March 17. The Blue Devils have scored 12 or more goals in each of their last five games, including a 12-11 win over North Carolina in the NCAA quarterfinals and a 14-5 win over Navy in the first round.
Syracuse coach John Desko has assuaged his team into better understanding of game situations this year.
Against Maryland, for instance, "we felt coach Cottle was going to have his team run up and down the field," Desko said.
The defensive unit analyzed Maryland's attack early, adjusted and conquered on all fronts.
Getting help from players like senior captain Pat Perritt, who scored 12 goals in the regular season and was once one of the top high school recruits in the nation, gave the Orange a boost in the second half. He finished with a goal and had two clutch assists in the second half.
Long pole Tyler Hlawati scored his first goal of the season and Cody Jamieson scored just his fifth. New contributors surface each game, it seems, and adjustments are made to incorporate them.
The obvious unsung hero of the quarterfinals was Cavalieri, who grabbed national attention with his eye-opening performance between the pipes. Possibly fortunate for Duke, Cavalieri is unlikely to play Saturday if John Galloway is completely recovered from the flu-like symptoms that sidelined the sophomore for the first time in his career. According to various reports, Galloway could have played if necessary, but did not as a precaution.
"For [Al] to stay focused and have a game that he did, we're pretty proud of the way he handled it," Desko said.
Said Cavalieri: "[The team] didn't let me down a minute today. I had to get as comfortable as I could, as quickly as I could. We work so hard for this and everyone's always ready."
The Orange will have to work twice as hard this week to prepare for one of the most anticipated games at any level of lacrosse this season against Duke.
