Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSTEPPING UP: Cavalieri propels Orange to second-consecutive final four in first career start
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 5/16/09, 5:47 PM EST Section: Sports
"The first shot they had, I think they rushed it a little bit, and it was right on my stick and that was just a good confidence builder," Cavalieri said. "I knew the guys in front of on defense are so good and knew they would be there to help me out throughout the whole game."
The defense helped Cavalieri by keeping Maryland from making good shots. The Terrapins only fired 26 shots in the game, as the Orange pressured them any time they came near the crease. The defense aggressively used their sticks to knock the ball free from the Terrapins and this led to 16 turnovers in the game.
While Cavalieri and the defense stymied the Maryland offense, Syracuse worked to pick apart the Maryland defense. Kenny Nims started the scoring with an unassisted goal from the right side of the cage to give SU a 1-0 lead just 5:15 into the game, and SU added goals from Dan Hardy and Josh Amidon later in the first to take a 3-0 lead after one.
Maryland cut the score to 5-3 at half, but Syracuse used a 6-1 run in the second half to put the game away. With SU leading 6-4, the Orange scored five unanswered goals by five different players to seal the game with an 11-4 lead with 13:33 remaining. Since Cavalieri was making his first start, the squad knew it was important to stake their goalie early protection.
"We didn't' want him to be uncomfortable out there and we knew we had to step it up a little bit and get some goals in the first quarter," said SU attack Nims, who led the squad with four points. "That's what we try to do every game and today I'm really happy with the way our offense started out and it helps when you got Al back there making some great saves."
Cavalieri didn't stop, though, with the game out of reach. In the fourth, Cavalieri saved a shot, but the ball deflected to Maryland's Grant Catalino, who led Maryland with three points. Catalino, standing right outside the crease, tried to get it past Cavalieri above his eyes, but the goalie just reached up his stick and somehow, the ball found its way into the pocket for an incredible save.
Nothing could go wrong for the first timer.
"It's something that every coach tells somebody in Alex's position, how important that position is," Desko said. "Sometimes those guys never get a chance to show it. So I think a coaching standpoint, you don't want a player to get sick for it to happen, and Alex got a chance and he validates everything we've been talking about."
As the clock winded down, Cavalieri lifted his arms up and down, urging the crowd to make some noise. Once the buzzer hit, he was engulfed by teammates, celebrating with him his victory and another final four appearance for the defending national champions.
"It was a great feeling," Cavalieri said. "I'm just glad were going back to the final four. We got two games left and gotta get it done. We gotta work this next week in practice and get it done."
mrehalt@syr.edu
The defense helped Cavalieri by keeping Maryland from making good shots. The Terrapins only fired 26 shots in the game, as the Orange pressured them any time they came near the crease. The defense aggressively used their sticks to knock the ball free from the Terrapins and this led to 16 turnovers in the game.
While Cavalieri and the defense stymied the Maryland offense, Syracuse worked to pick apart the Maryland defense. Kenny Nims started the scoring with an unassisted goal from the right side of the cage to give SU a 1-0 lead just 5:15 into the game, and SU added goals from Dan Hardy and Josh Amidon later in the first to take a 3-0 lead after one.
Maryland cut the score to 5-3 at half, but Syracuse used a 6-1 run in the second half to put the game away. With SU leading 6-4, the Orange scored five unanswered goals by five different players to seal the game with an 11-4 lead with 13:33 remaining. Since Cavalieri was making his first start, the squad knew it was important to stake their goalie early protection.
"We didn't' want him to be uncomfortable out there and we knew we had to step it up a little bit and get some goals in the first quarter," said SU attack Nims, who led the squad with four points. "That's what we try to do every game and today I'm really happy with the way our offense started out and it helps when you got Al back there making some great saves."
Cavalieri didn't stop, though, with the game out of reach. In the fourth, Cavalieri saved a shot, but the ball deflected to Maryland's Grant Catalino, who led Maryland with three points. Catalino, standing right outside the crease, tried to get it past Cavalieri above his eyes, but the goalie just reached up his stick and somehow, the ball found its way into the pocket for an incredible save.
Nothing could go wrong for the first timer.
"It's something that every coach tells somebody in Alex's position, how important that position is," Desko said. "Sometimes those guys never get a chance to show it. So I think a coaching standpoint, you don't want a player to get sick for it to happen, and Alex got a chance and he validates everything we've been talking about."
As the clock winded down, Cavalieri lifted his arms up and down, urging the crowd to make some noise. Once the buzzer hit, he was engulfed by teammates, celebrating with him his victory and another final four appearance for the defending national champions.
"It was a great feeling," Cavalieri said. "I'm just glad were going back to the final four. We got two games left and gotta get it done. We gotta work this next week in practice and get it done."
mrehalt@syr.edu
Be the first to comment on this story