Spring Break
The Daily OrangeGOING FOR 2: Syracuse's quest for back-to-back titles starts with NCAA 1st round
By Meredith Galante
Posted: 5/6/09, 6:25 PM EST Section: Sports
"The Saints have a guy, Jordan Loftus, who we are pretty familiar with … and a guy that we've seen play locally around here," John Galloway, the SU goalie, said. "I know they have a very talented goalie and very talented defense, second in the country, and they're a good team that's excited to be in the tourney. … They're going to be excited to play Syracuse - the defending national champions - at their place, and I think everyone is excited to come to the Dome."
As much as the déjà vu is in coach Desko's mind, his Syracuse team may be in better shape than it was in 2008.
• Galloway, while his statistics have worsened from last season, is a year older, a year more experienced after proving to be a weak spot for the team in last year's playoff run.
• JUCO-star transfer Cody Jamieson scored his first career goal against Colgate. Working in the left attack spot with Chris Daniello and Tim Desko, Jamieson provides a new dimension to the Syracuse offense.
• The team is riding high on the strength of a five-game winning streak. The Orange has not lost since April 4 against Princeton.
For Syracuse, any improvement will aid its attempt at a tournament run. With the two opponents the Orange lost to this season receiving high seeds (Virginia receiving a one-seed and Princeton a No. 4 seed) Syracuse could most likely face both teams in its path to another NCAA title.
"It's great this is what you play for, you play to get in the tournament," senior Matt Abbott, a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist, said. "And once the tournament starts, it's one game at a time. Sixteen teams left and everybody has a shot to win it all, and it all starts this Sunday against Siena."
mkgalant@syr.edu
- Asst. sports editor Matthew Ehalt contributed reporting to this article
As much as the déjà vu is in coach Desko's mind, his Syracuse team may be in better shape than it was in 2008.
• Galloway, while his statistics have worsened from last season, is a year older, a year more experienced after proving to be a weak spot for the team in last year's playoff run.
• JUCO-star transfer Cody Jamieson scored his first career goal against Colgate. Working in the left attack spot with Chris Daniello and Tim Desko, Jamieson provides a new dimension to the Syracuse offense.
• The team is riding high on the strength of a five-game winning streak. The Orange has not lost since April 4 against Princeton.
For Syracuse, any improvement will aid its attempt at a tournament run. With the two opponents the Orange lost to this season receiving high seeds (Virginia receiving a one-seed and Princeton a No. 4 seed) Syracuse could most likely face both teams in its path to another NCAA title.
"It's great this is what you play for, you play to get in the tournament," senior Matt Abbott, a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist, said. "And once the tournament starts, it's one game at a time. Sixteen teams left and everybody has a shot to win it all, and it all starts this Sunday against Siena."
mkgalant@syr.edu
- Asst. sports editor Matthew Ehalt contributed reporting to this article
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