Sunday Showdown: Orange Hosts Georgetown in Middle Game of Lacrosse Tripleheader
3/8/2008 10:16:39 AM | Men's Lacrosse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - College sports fans everywhere know how intense the Syracuse-Georgetown basketball rivalry is, but few are aware the lacrosse series between the two schools is just as fierce. That series will be renewed Sunday, March 9 when the #5/7 Orange (2-1) hosts the #9/12 Hoyas (1-1) for a 3:30 p.m. contest at the Carrier Dome.
Both team's enter this weekend ranked and with an opportunity to earn a marquee win early in the season. The game is the second of a lacrosse tripleheader at the Dome. The first game pits the SU women’s team against Hofstra at 12 p.m. and the nightcap features LeMoyne and Mercyhurst at 6:30 p.m. in a rematch of last year's Division II title game.
Tickets for Sunday's game may be purchased on-line (click here), over the phone (1-888-DOMETIX), or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office during normal business hours. Fans will be able to receive their tickets immediately after their purchase, using the “Print At Home” delivery method. For additional information, fans can contact the Carrier Dome Box Office toll free (888-366-3849) or (315-443-2121).
Orange fans that can't make it to the game can follow the action on the Syracuse Radio Network. Matt Park and Kyle Fetterly will have the call on TK-99.5 FM. Live streaming audio can be found on SUathletics.com via Orange All Access In addition, Saturday's game will be televised live in Syracuse on Time Warner 26.
SCORING AT WILL
The Orange offense has been nearly unstoppable in the early going. SU has scored 42 times in its first three contests, good for an average of 13.81 goals per game. The Orange’s 42 scores is the most through the first three games of a season since 2004, and 15 more than it had in its initial three outings in 2007 (27). The Orange netted 21 goals against Villanova (Feb. 17), eight versus Army (Feb. 24) and 13 against Virginia (March 1).
The 2004 squad, led by four-time All-American Mike Powell, burst out of the gate with 56 goals in its first three games on its way to the NCAA Championship. Syracuse scored 19, 18 and 19 goals, respectively, against Army, Virginia, and Notre Dame on its way to its ninth NCAA crown.
MANNING UP
Junior attackman
Kenny Nims has been particularly effective in extra-man situations with four of his nine goals this year coming on EMO’s.This year’s 60 percent success rate is on pace to shatter the Orange’s best season extra-man efficientcy total under John Desko
(.474 in 2002). The school record for man-up success was established in 1989 when the Orange converted 58.9 percent of its extra-man opportunities (43-83).BROOKS BRINGS IT AGAINST VIRGINIA
Brooks lists third on the squad this season in scoring (9 points) and is second on the team with five assists. His two-assist showing against the Cavaliers was his second multiple-assist performance of the year. Against Villanova, he matched his career high with three helpers.
SOMETHING IN THE WATER
Nims and Niewieroski each attended Watertown High School, while Loftus went to nearby Immaculate Heart Central (IHC). The three players are all related. Nims and Loftus are first cousins, while Nims and Niewieroski are second cousins.
SCOUTING THE HOYAS
Preseason All-American attackman Brendan Cannon is the team’s top scorer with seven points (5g, 2a) in the first two contests. Cannon had his way with the Red Storm defense, finishing with four goals and an assist. Attackman Craig Dowd is second on the club with two goals and two assists for a total of four points. Middie Andrew Brancaccio lists second on the team with three goals.
The Hoyas’ defense is led by senior captain Jerry Lambe. Lambe was a preseason first-team All-American and has collected a pair of ground balls. He was the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and was named Team MVP. Fellow captain Miles Kass is in his second season as the Hoyas’ starting goaltender. Kass posted an 8.16 goals-against average on his way to honorable mention All-America honors last year. He has 23 saves and a 7.9 GAA in two games this season.
SERIES NOTES
This is the 13th straight season Syracuse and Georgtown have met on the lacrosse field. The two schools have played at least once every year dating back to 1995. The two teams have met three times in the postseason with SU winning all three games. The last time Syracuse and Georgetown played in the NCAA Tournament was in 2004 when the Orange won the national championship.
SU holds the longest winning streak in series history, winning eight straight meetings from
1999-2004.
The Orange racked up 24 goals in its regular-season meeting with the Hoyas in 2000. It remains the most goals scored by SU under head coach John Desko
