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The Daily OrangeMLAX | KNOCKED OFF: Syracuse's 10-game winning streak snapped in season-ending loss to Colgate
By Tyler Dunne
Posted: 5/3/08, 9:03 PM EST Section: Sports
HAMILTON, N.Y. - The entire Colgate bench swarmed the field in a tidal wave. They hurled helmets and sticks into the air and raced to their cage to meet in a massive mosh pit.
Syracuse players dotted the field in still-frame - complete shock - as the white and maroon jerseys flew by, triumphant after the Red Raiders' 12-11 win.
A wild season finale between No. 2 Syracuse and No. 15 Colgate boiled down to exactly what was haunting Syracuse all day - faceoffs. SU frantically sliced a four-goal, fourth quarter deficit to one. And with 28 seconds left, the Orange won a draw for only the eighth time in 25 tries. Too little, too late. Kenny Nims' doorstep tap-in was stuffed by Colgate goalie Tim Harrington at the final horn and Colgate officially ended Syracuse's 10-game winning streak in front of 4,572 fans at Andy Kerr Stadium.
Syracuse (12-2) couldn't overcome the Danny Brennan Effect. His value became painfully obvious.
SU's Brennan, the nation's leading faceoff man, sat out with a pulled leg muscle he suffered last week against Massachusetts. Rather than risk further injury, SU head coach John Desko sat the senior, yet said afterward he's "optimistic" Brennan will be available next week, when SU plays its opener in the NCAA tournament. The Orange will probably be the three-seed in the 16-team field, which will be announced on ESPNU tomorrow at 9 p.m. Colgate (11-5) punched its tourney ticket last week after winning the Patriot League.
"Strictly from getting offensive possessions, not having Danny was a huge factor," said Carrozza, who started in place of Brennan at the X. "Having Danny is a big necessity."
Without Brennan, the Orange was a completely different team.
Momentum didn't stick. On four occasions, Colgate won the faceoff and scored a goal less than one minute after a Syracuse goal. None was bigger than Brandon Corp's 40th goal this season with 1:30 remaining, which came 32 seconds after a goal by SU's Matt Abbott. Corp's tally proved to be the game-winner.
Syracuse players dotted the field in still-frame - complete shock - as the white and maroon jerseys flew by, triumphant after the Red Raiders' 12-11 win.
A wild season finale between No. 2 Syracuse and No. 15 Colgate boiled down to exactly what was haunting Syracuse all day - faceoffs. SU frantically sliced a four-goal, fourth quarter deficit to one. And with 28 seconds left, the Orange won a draw for only the eighth time in 25 tries. Too little, too late. Kenny Nims' doorstep tap-in was stuffed by Colgate goalie Tim Harrington at the final horn and Colgate officially ended Syracuse's 10-game winning streak in front of 4,572 fans at Andy Kerr Stadium.
Syracuse (12-2) couldn't overcome the Danny Brennan Effect. His value became painfully obvious.
SU's Brennan, the nation's leading faceoff man, sat out with a pulled leg muscle he suffered last week against Massachusetts. Rather than risk further injury, SU head coach John Desko sat the senior, yet said afterward he's "optimistic" Brennan will be available next week, when SU plays its opener in the NCAA tournament. The Orange will probably be the three-seed in the 16-team field, which will be announced on ESPNU tomorrow at 9 p.m. Colgate (11-5) punched its tourney ticket last week after winning the Patriot League.
"Strictly from getting offensive possessions, not having Danny was a huge factor," said Carrozza, who started in place of Brennan at the X. "Having Danny is a big necessity."
Without Brennan, the Orange was a completely different team.
Momentum didn't stick. On four occasions, Colgate won the faceoff and scored a goal less than one minute after a Syracuse goal. None was bigger than Brandon Corp's 40th goal this season with 1:30 remaining, which came 32 seconds after a goal by SU's Matt Abbott. Corp's tally proved to be the game-winner.
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