Coach John Desko instructs Pat Perritt at Syracuse's first fall practice.
NCAA Champs Return to the Field for Fall Practice
9/8/2008 6:13:14 PM | Men's Lacrosse
The Syracuse University men’s lacrosse team, the defending national champions, returned the practice field today under the direction of reigning Division I Coach of the Year John Desko. In May, the Orange defeated Johns Hopkins for its record 10th national title.
“We’re excitied to get back out here,” Desko said. “It seems like we just walked off the field in Foxboro yesterday. It’s great just to get started. I want to see some new faces and see how we’re going to replace all those seniors that we lost.”
Last season, the Orange went 16-2 overall, tying the school record for wins in a season. The Orange faced the 2007 defending national champion Blue Jays in the 2008 title game and came away with a 13-10 victory to become the second team in NCAA history win the national championship after missing the postseason the year before.
Desko welcomes back more than 30 players from his 2008 squad and will be looking to fill the spots left by several graduating seniors including Tewaaraton Trophy winner Mike Leveille, USILA Midfielder of the Year Steven Brooks and Danny Brennan, the NCAA’s best faceoff man.
Desko emphasized that while those players and the rest of last year’s senior class is gone, the example they set will be critical to SU’s 2009 success.
“We have to remember how we got to the championship game and won it,” Desko said. “All the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that those guys put in starts over again today.”
Among his returners is senior midfielder Matt Abbott (Syracuse, N.Y.). Abbott was a third-team USILA All-American last year and finished with 13 goals, eight assists and 73 ground balls.
“Last season was a dream come true winning the championship,” Abbott said. “This is my last go at it and hopefully we can have similar results as last year.”
The Orange will practice for five weeks during the fall, culminating with a three-way scrimmage against Bucknell and Stony Brook Saturday, Oct. 11 on Long Island.
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