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The Daily OrangeMLAX | Armed & Ready: Veterans come alive late in decisive 6-goal 4th for SU
By Pat DiSalvo
Posted: 2/27/06, 1:30 AM EST Section: Sports
Several other freshman and transfers aided the Orange. Nathan Kenney, who also transferred from Virginia, scored one goal. Redshirt freshman Pete Coluccini recorded nine saves and cleared the ball well, freshman Dan Hardy had a goal and an assist, and Nims added a goal.
Bucktooth, who proved to be quiet through the first three quarters, erupted in the fourth. After having a late third-period goal disallowed because he was in the crease, Bucktooth scored three times in the fourth and assisted on another goal. Both Bucktooth and Desko credited the Army zone for the early frustrations, but after some adjustments and more patience, the Orange exploded for six fourth-quarter goals.
"In the beginning of the game, a lot of us were forcing plays, trying to make things happen, and they weren't there," Bucktooth said. "Towards the end of the game, we sort of let things happen and let the game come to us, and when it came to us, we were just able to capitalize on the opportunities."
Bucktooth didn't have to force anything on his first goal. He stood in front of the crease with his stick cocked, waiting for a pass from Yevoli behind the net. Yevoli delivered, and Bucktooth slung the shot from his waist past the goalie. The score gave SU a 10-9 lead and was the game winning goal.
But without the freshmen and transfers, the Orange and Bucktooth may not have even been in a situation for a game winning tally. The inexperienced players turned things around for Syracuse when the situation looked bleak early.
An advantage for a prestigious program such as Syracuse is the ability to obtain such players that can contribute to the team right away.
"To have the top five scorers come back from last year, and the great additions of the freshmen and the transfers … we have a good core of players coming back," Bucktooth said. "Great players being added to our team just makes us very dangerous."
Bucktooth, who proved to be quiet through the first three quarters, erupted in the fourth. After having a late third-period goal disallowed because he was in the crease, Bucktooth scored three times in the fourth and assisted on another goal. Both Bucktooth and Desko credited the Army zone for the early frustrations, but after some adjustments and more patience, the Orange exploded for six fourth-quarter goals.
"In the beginning of the game, a lot of us were forcing plays, trying to make things happen, and they weren't there," Bucktooth said. "Towards the end of the game, we sort of let things happen and let the game come to us, and when it came to us, we were just able to capitalize on the opportunities."
Bucktooth didn't have to force anything on his first goal. He stood in front of the crease with his stick cocked, waiting for a pass from Yevoli behind the net. Yevoli delivered, and Bucktooth slung the shot from his waist past the goalie. The score gave SU a 10-9 lead and was the game winning goal.
But without the freshmen and transfers, the Orange and Bucktooth may not have even been in a situation for a game winning tally. The inexperienced players turned things around for Syracuse when the situation looked bleak early.
An advantage for a prestigious program such as Syracuse is the ability to obtain such players that can contribute to the team right away.
"To have the top five scorers come back from last year, and the great additions of the freshmen and the transfers … we have a good core of players coming back," Bucktooth said. "Great players being added to our team just makes us very dangerous."
