Breaking Down The Alumni Classic

The Syracuse lacrosse team concludes fall practice with the first annual Orange Alumni Classic at the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Oct. 9. The game is open to the public. Tickets are $7 and they are available online, over the phone (1-888-DOMETIX) and in person at the Dome Box Office. Parking is free.

Here's a look at how the two sides stack up:

OFFENSE
This year's Orange team boasts a great crease attackman in 100-goal scorer Stephen Keogh and an electric dodger and feeder in sophomore JoJo Marasco. The midfield is deep and athletic with seniors Josh Amidon, Jovan Miller and Jeremy Thompson. Amidon has one of the hardest shots on the team and is a threat from the outside. Miller and Thompson both excel in creating offense in transition. Players like redshirt sophomores Pete Coleman, Steve Ianzito and senior Jeff Gilbert received plenty of playing time last season and are working to become bigger factors on offense.

The alumni squad has Gary Gait, Casey Powell, Mike Leveille, Mike Springer and Kenny Nims – and that's just on attack. It says a lot that when a four-time All-American like Springer and a-two-time national champion like Nims can come off the bench as a fourth attackman. The alumni midfield features recent standouts like Dan Hardy, Brett Bucktooth, Pat Perritt and Chris Daniello. All of those guys were capable of three-goal games in their college days.

The alumni offense reads like veritable Who's Who in the sport of lacrosse.

Advantage: Alumni

DEFENSE

The current team returns the core of a unit that led the nation last season in goals-against average. First-team All-Americans John Lade and Joel White are back at close defense and long-stick midfield, respectively. Close defenseman Brian Megill is entering his second year as a starter and veterans like Thomas Guadagnolo and David Hamlin are in the mix to replace the departed Matt Tierney. Miller and Amidon are solid short-stick defenders.

The alumni defense has an intimidating presence in Ric Beardsley. It also has a wealth of experience in guys like Pat McCabe, John Glatzel and Regy Thorpe. The biggest question for Coach Paul Carcaterra is who's going to run pole. Steve Panarelli is the most likely candidate as he brings youth and athleticism to the position. Carcaterra also has the luxury of playing Matt Abbott, one of the top all-round college midfielders of the last five years, on D.

It's a close call. The alumni team may have better one-on-one cover guys, but defense is all about communication and chemistry and nobody has played better team defense in recent seasons than the Orange.

Advantage: Current team

GOALIE

Senior John Galloway had one of the finest seasons for goaltender in school history in 2010. He led the nation and set the Orange single-season record for goals-against average (7.16). He became the first netminder in school history to win the Kelly Award as the nation's top goalie. And by the way, he's got two national championship rings and 44 career wins under his belt.

The alumni team trots out three-time national champion Matt Palumb, Al Cavalieri and Jason Gebhardt. Cavalieri proved invaluable as reserve on a pair of NCAA title teams. Gebhardt racked up more than 600 career saves. And Palumb wrote the SU goalie record book when he was on campus.

But the guy breaking most of Palumb's records? John Galloway. And he might be the best clearing goalie ever.

Advantage: Current team

FACEOFFS

The Orange will rely mostly on Thompson at the faceoff X. He was a second-team All-American last season and was lethal when he pushed the ball out front and created transition scoring opportunities. Senior Tim Harder and sophomore Kyle Carey both have experience taking draws. The Orange also has a host of freshmen working at the X, including Manhasset High School product Ricky Buhr.

Wing play will be critical and the Orange will benefit from having Miller and White manning those positions.

The alumni team features the dominant duo of Chris Cercy and Danny Brennan. They rank one and two in career faceoff wins at Syracuse and have combined to record three of the four highest season faceoff winning percentages in school history.

It's hard to score when you don't have the ball and Cercy and Brennan were the best in their day at keeping the rock away from opposing teams.

Advantage: Alumni

THE COACHES

Current mentor John Desko has more than 30 years experience coaching at the college level. He owns the highest career winning percentage of any active coach (.770). He's 5-2 in NCAA title games and his five national championships ranks third all-time.

Paul Carcaterra steps out of the ESPN broadcast booth to lead the alumni. Enough said.

Advantage: Current team

Final Prediction: One heck of an entertaining game.

Syracuse University Athletics

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