All Orange: Syracuse Topples Villanova in Season Opener, 21-6

Sunday, February 17

Syracuse, NY

2 p.m.

Syracuse University

Villanova

John Galloway became the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Orange since 1981.

All Orange: Syracuse Topples Villanova in Season Opener, 21-6

2/17/2008 4:35:48 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score
SU Coach and Player Quotes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. Junior attackman Kenny Nims (Watertown, N.Y.) recorded a career high six goals to lead #9 Syracuse (1-0) to a 21-6 victory against Villanova (0-1) in the season-opener for both teams on Sunday, Feb. 17 at the Carrier Dome.

It was the 12^th consecutive season-opening victory for the Orange, and the win improved head coach John Desko’s record to 10-0 record in season starters. Syracuse improved to 2-0 all-time against Villanova and surpassed the 1 million mark in Carrier Dome lacrosse attendance since the building opened in 1981 with 4,252 fans on hand to cheer the Orange to victory Sunday.

Nims’ six goals paced the Syracuse offense, which got goals from ten different players. Senior Mike Leveille (Delmar, N.Y.) recorded six points on two goals and four assists, marking the 40^th consecutive game in which Leveille has recorded a point, the second-longest streak in the nation. Junior Dan Hardy (Tully N.Y.) and senior Steven Brooks (Libertyville, Ill.) each had four points for the Orange. Hardy recorded three goals and one assist, while Brooks tallied one goal and tied his personal best with three assists. Freshmen Stephen Keogh (Toronto, Ontario) and Josh Amidon (Lafayette, N.Y.) recorded the first points of their careers, contributing two goals apiece for the Orange.

Freshman John Galloway (Syracuse, N.Y.) started in goal for the Orange, making five saves in the first half, including two key saves on Villanova man-up opportunities, to earn his first career victory. Galloway’s was the first true freshman goalie to start a season opener since 1981 when Tom Nims started in a 14-10 Orange victory against Navy. Junior Peter Coluccini (South Salem, N.Y.) relieved Galloway in the cage in the second half and made one save.

Syracuse controlled the first quarter of play, tallying the first 10 goals of the game while shutting out the Villanova offense. Junior Greg Niewieroski (Watertown, N.Y.) sparked the Orange, scoring just 13 seconds into the game. Leveille tallied two goals and two assists in the first quarter of play, and Brooks contributed a goal and a pair assists. Juniors Matt Abbott (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Pat Perritt (Holtsville, N.Y.) and senior Brendan Loftus (Watertown, N.Y.) each contributed a first-quarter goal, and two of the six goals by Nims came during the initial 15 minutes of play. Keogh rounded out the first quarter scoring, with his first career goal on a Syracuse man-up opportunity.

Villanova got on the scoreboard with a goal at the 9:17 mark of the second period, making it 10-1. Nims and Villanova’s Jay Foley traded goals throughout the second quarter, each scoring two as the Orange reclaimed a 10-goal advantage, 12-2. Hardy closed the first half with a man-up goal on an assist from Loftus to put the Orange in front, 13-2, at the break.

The Orange scored five in the third quarter, including a goal from Keogh, and pairs of consecutive goals by both Hardy and Nims. The Wildcats’ offense put three past Coluccini, making the score 18-5 Orange after the third period.

Sophomore goalkeeper Al Cavalieri (Lathrup Village, Mich.) replaced Coluccini a few minutes into the fourth quarter, and recorded four saves while allowing only one goal. Amidon scored both his goals in the fourth quarter.

As important as any goal scorer for the Orange was the play of senior face-off specialist Danny Brennan (Farmingdale, N.Y.). Brennan won eight faceoffs in the SU's 10-goal first quarter, repeatedly giving the Orange offensive chances, while limiting Villanova's possessions. Overall, Brennan was 17-for-23 at the face-off stripe Sunday, good for a .739 winning percentage.

Villanova’s attack was led Foley who recorded four points on three goals and one assist. Tim Driscoll and Tim Langan each tallied two points. Driscoll had two goals and Langan scored one goal dished out an assist. Andrew DiLoreto made seven saves in the cage for the Wildcats through three quarters of play. Mike Bogdanor relieved DiLoreto in the fourth and made one save.

The Orange returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 24 with a match against Army in the Carrier Dome. Faceoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Time Warner 26.