Spring Break
The Daily OrangePerritt's career-high day helps fuel Syracuse's offense past Duke, into championship
By Conor Orr
Posted: 5/23/09, 6:31 PM EST Section: Final Four '09
Ignorance on Duke's part continued to be bliss for Perritt as he took to the cage two more times, still without an extra defender or a second slide to stop him. And with each goal, the next seemed that much more effortless
.
Normally conservative with his shots - four total in the tournament leading up to Saturday - Perritt rode the hot hand, taking six shots on goal.
"I had a good day shooting," Perrit said "Their goalie takes up a lot of space in the cage and I just wasn't trying to shoot the ball too hard. Coach said during the week to just try and place the ball … that's what I tried to do and it worked."
With 26 seconds remaining in the third and Syracuse ahead by eights goals, Perritt put a cap on the win by diverting from his usual catch-and-shoot routine.
Just like his first goal had made a statement, so did the last. Already busted up from the pain of a five-goal third quarter, Perritt sent the Duke defense reeling into the fourth. Less than 30 seconds after a goal from Kenny Nims, Perritt took the ball hard to the net, laying out full extension against two defenders, to drill his fourth goal of the game.
After sitting most of the fourth quarter, Perritt joined his team on the field after the game on the outskirts of the huddle. Walking back to the locker room he shared a passing glance with head coach John Desko and a high-five from assistant Roy Simmons III.
He had just played the game of his career, double teamed or not, on the biggest stage in lacrosse. Something he won't soon forget.
"It meant a lot," Perritt said. "It was a big game for us and on this stage it's nice to come out and be able to play like that."
ctorr@syr.edu
.
Normally conservative with his shots - four total in the tournament leading up to Saturday - Perritt rode the hot hand, taking six shots on goal.
"I had a good day shooting," Perrit said "Their goalie takes up a lot of space in the cage and I just wasn't trying to shoot the ball too hard. Coach said during the week to just try and place the ball … that's what I tried to do and it worked."
With 26 seconds remaining in the third and Syracuse ahead by eights goals, Perritt put a cap on the win by diverting from his usual catch-and-shoot routine.
Just like his first goal had made a statement, so did the last. Already busted up from the pain of a five-goal third quarter, Perritt sent the Duke defense reeling into the fourth. Less than 30 seconds after a goal from Kenny Nims, Perritt took the ball hard to the net, laying out full extension against two defenders, to drill his fourth goal of the game.
After sitting most of the fourth quarter, Perritt joined his team on the field after the game on the outskirts of the huddle. Walking back to the locker room he shared a passing glance with head coach John Desko and a high-five from assistant Roy Simmons III.
He had just played the game of his career, double teamed or not, on the biggest stage in lacrosse. Something he won't soon forget.
"It meant a lot," Perritt said. "It was a big game for us and on this stage it's nice to come out and be able to play like that."
ctorr@syr.edu
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