Between the Lines

Trivia Question (Playoffs in the Dome Edition): All time the Orange men's lacrosse team has taken part in 80 playoff games, 24 of which were in the Carrier Dome. What's Syracuse's all time playoff record in the Dome?

Your Questions: Want them answered? Your tweets always welcome @BrianHigginsSU.

This week: Seems like just yesterday Army's Devin Lynch brought last season to a sudden and unexpected end, but already a year has passed. If this year's regular season was just the overture to playoff redemption, what a prelude it was. 14 wins, seven by two goals or less, including consecutive weekends in overtime certainly spiced up the three month appetizer to the postseason.

Fueled by last year's misstep, this year's Orange are ready to face Siena in the first round of the playoffs and start the march to Memorial Day. “We know what's at stake,” senior goalie John Galloway said. “Now we know the feeling of being able to exit the tournament early. It doesn't matter who you're playing, everybody has a chance to live. Siena might be the 16 seed, but they're 0-0 just like all of us. We're all equals right now. To be able to have the chance to keep playing in May, a lot of teams don't have that opportunity and we're seizing it. We're going to take every moment we have in the next couple weeks and cherish it, and just keep working hard toward our main goal.”

As for the lingering memories of last year's Army game, “It still haunts us, I think we relive it every day,” Stephen Keogh said. “I live with all the seniors and somehow that always comes up. It just makes us hungrier, you can't take anyone for granted. I think we kind of overlooked Army last year, we were just looking on to the next opponent. Siena's a great team so we can't do that.”

The senior class in particular, two time national champs most, are prepared to lead the charge into the playoffs and towards a 12^th national title. “Since I've been here I really do feel like it goes to another intensity level,” Jovan Miller said. “It's really been different for me because I know that if we were to lose we're going home and I won't see these guys anymore as far as my senior class is concerned. We do really understand that, and we have to relish every moment together. I think the amount of focus has been probably the best all year.”

Much like the 2008 title team was fueled by missing the playoffs in 2007, last year's playoff loss has been a constant reminder whenever this year's team needed a boost. The good news for the current seniors is they have a chance to author a different final memory. “We have a great opportunity right now to redeem ourselves,” Jovan said, “so I really hope we go out there and do it.”

Four wins in three weeks are needed for another national title, but this year's Orange currently only have eyes for Siena. The real season begins Sunday.

He Said What!?: So there I was minding my own business Sunday night watching the NCAA lacrosse selection show. Things were going according to plan, the Orange were named the number one overall seed as expected and there were no egregious snubs from the field of 16. Then ESPN analyst and former Hopkins goalie Quint Kessenich said perhaps the craziest lacrosse related thing I've ever heard, that current Cornell attackman Rob Pannell is better than Michael Powell. It's a good thing I wasn't drinking something, because my TV would still be wet.

Quint does like to push a button or two so I can only hope he was not sincere with that thought. Pannell is the clear favorite for the Tewaaraton Trophy this year no doubt, but better than Mikey? Come on. Powell may be the most electric player to have ever picked up a lacrosse stick and certainly is the best I've ever seen in person(I never saw the Gaits in their primes, calm down).

While surely stats could easily help my case, though Pannell's are indeed prolific, Quint's got some 'splainin to do. Anyone who saw the end of regulation of the 2001 title game, the final 19 seconds of the first half against Hopkins in 2003, or any of the 2004 season knows what I mean.

Higgo's Hero: Gumby aka Ryan Henry. The senior has been ubiquitous at Syracuse sporting events during his academic and recent cheerleading career. Trust me if you've been at the Dome, Coyne Field, SU Soccer Stadium or anywhere else a Syracuse sporting event has been held the last four years, you've probably encountered Gumby.

After last Saturday's lacrosse win against St. John's, Ryan was the last fan remaining in the stands. During our radio postgame show I noticed he made his way over to the normal football and basketball student section to say goodbye to his four year home. From afar it appeared to be a moment of silent retrospection. Collegiate athletics are special because people care that much. Gumby, you're this week's hero, but I sure hope you've trained a replacement.

Trivia Answer: 22-2. The only two Carrier Dome losses came against Army in the first round last year, and against North Carolina in the 1991 Final Four. The only other year the Dome hosted the Final Four Syracuse took home the national title in 1988.

Upcoming Schedule: By the time the Orange take the field Sunday night at least six if not seven other teams will have reserved their spots in the quarterfinals. The graduation/convocation Carrier Dome combo means Syracuse is manning its standard save the best for last first round 7:30 Sunday night slot.

Siena is the opponent for the second time in three years and if you can't make it, we've got you covered on TK99 and Orange All Access. Orange Pregame kicks off the festivities at 7:00 and this week we'll be joined by Steve Keogh and Coach Desko.

Syracuse University Athletics

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