Coach Desko Quotes | Player Quotes | Photos
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse men’s lacrosse team hit the field to kick off its 2010 campaign at the Carrier Dome on Thursday. The Orange had a conditioning session in the morning, followed by its annual media day and its first full practice in the afternoon. Head coach John Desko previewed the upcoming season in his introductory news conference, while student-athletes participated in interviews and posed for photos on the field.
During the news conference, Desko about preparing the team for a schedule that features eight road games, as well as replenishing a midfield corps hit hard by graduation. In addition he offered his views on the incoming freshmen class and how he keeps the team motivated coming off of two straight national titles.
Syracuse has won a NCAA-record 11 national championships, including back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009. Last season, the Orange finished with a 16-2 record for the second year in a row and won the national title in a dramatic, come-from-behind victory against Cornell. It was the fifth NCAA title for the Orange in Desko’s first 11 seasons as head coach. Desko is the Division I active leader in winning percentage with a 134-42 (.761) record.
Desko’s squad is ranked second in this year’s Lacrosse Magazine annual preseason Division I rankings. It is the second No. 2 preseason ranking for the Orange. Syracuse also listed second in the 2010 Face-Off Yearbook rankings compiled by Inside Lacrosse. The two-time defending NCAA champions returns five starters, including last year’s Division I goals leader in junior attackman Stephen Keogh.
On the defensive end, first-team preseason All-American Joel White leads an experienced group that features three more players that earned preseason All-America recognition. Close defenders John Lade and Matt Tierney earned preseason second-team and honorable mention All-America honors, respectively.
Junior goalie John Galloway garnered a preseason third-team All-America nod. He is the program's career leader in goals-against average (7.71). He is the only goalie in the NCAA era to start for a national champion as both a freshman and sophomore.
The Orange begins the 2010 season with a three-way scrimmage against Le Moyne and Hofstra at the Carrier Dome on Sunday, Feb. 7. SU will also host Maryland in an exhibition game on Friday, Feb.12 before beginning the regular season at home on Friday, Feb. 19 against Denver.