The Daily Orange

STEPPING 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

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Media Credit: Lucas McComb

Al Cavalieri attempts to save a shot by Maryland's Jake Bernhardt during the Orange's 11-6 victory in the NCAA quarterfinals

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Though he had never heard his name called over the speakers as a starter in his three-year career at Syracuse, backup goalie Al Cavalieri woke up Saturday morning knowing it might be that day when he starts between the pipes for the Orange. Starting goalie John Galloway was sick with the fl and might not be ready for action against Maryland in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. So the backup prepared accordingly when he woke up.

"I told myself I'd have to get in the mindset that I'm going to play," Cavalieri said. "And If I do, I do, and if I don't, then I don't. I tried to get as excited as I can, this was my first chance."

And what an impression he made.

In his first career start, Cavalieri played like a seasoned veteran in the net here at Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra, propelling No. 2 Syracuse to an 11-6 victory over Maryland in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament in front of a crowd of 11,259. Cavalieri saved 14-of-26 shots and the defending champions advanced to the final four at Gillette Stadium next Saturday to face the winner of Duke and North Carolina.

"I mean, you work so hard for this and everyone is always ready on the team whether they're a starter or a backup," Cavalieri said. "I just got an opportunity and having the team behind me and having the team we have, we got through it."

Before the game started, Cavalieri jogged onto the field with volunteer assistant coach Kevin Donahue to warm up, without Galloway in sight. The starter eventually made his way onto the field and took some shots.

But right before the game started, Cavalieri was told he would be the man in net for the Orange (14-2). Syracuse head coach John Desko said he hopes Galloway, who missed a game for the first time in his college career to snap a streak of 33 consecutive games, is ready for next Saturday's contest, but if he isn't, Cavalieri is ready.

Maryland (10-7) tested Cavalieri right away. Just under four minutes in, the Terrapins' Jake Bernhardt fired a bullet at Cavalieri that was stopped. Shortly after, Cavalieri made successive saves, including a great stop on a low shot to his right. In the first quarter alone, Cavalieri stopped all five shots he faced.

Continued...

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