Lacrosse Season is Here!

The Syracuse men's lacrosse team kicked off the new year by holding its annual media day in the Ensley Athletic Center. It's the official start of the 2020 season for the Orange, with meetings and fitness testing scheduled for Wednesday ahead of the first practice of the year on Thursday.

"We're really happy with everyone coming back healthy," said head coach John Desko. "I think we made a conscious effort to play younger players a couple years ago. What I'm looking forward to is seeing that experience pay off. They've been in a number of one goal games, a couple of playoff games now and I'm hoping that this experience that guys have at all ends of the field will pay off this year."

There's plenty for Orange fans to be excited about in 2020. The midfield unit is one of the deepest in the nation – returning All-Americans Jamie Trimboli and Brendan Curry – as well as linemate David Lipka off last year's top unit. Jacob Buttermore, who paced the second midfield line in goals last year, also returns. That alone would suffice as a lethal scoring threat. However, Tucker Dordevic returns to the fold as well after missing all of last season with a foot injury.

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All 👀 on the Orange. Media day kicks off the 2020 season

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Midfield isn't the only cause for optimism from 'Cuse. The attack unit returns Stephen Rehfuss, who led the team in assists in each of the last two seasons, Owen Seebold, who was the team's fourth attackman a year ago, and Griffin Cook is expected to move to attack after a successful rookie campaign in the midfield. Incoming transfer Chase Scanlan adds an extra layer of talent to the group. The USILA Second Team All-American led all freshmen midfielders in goals last year at Loyola.

Defensively, 'Cuse returns USILA Second Team All-American Nick Mellen to anchor the close defense unit. Andrew Helmer (LSM/SSDM), Grant Murphy (SSDM), Brett Kennedy (LSM) all could move down to join him, as could Nick DiPietro, who redshirted last season and returns to the field. That group is bolstered by All-ACC goaltender Drake Porter and All-American short stick defensive midfielder Peter Dearth, among others.

The Orange will continue preseason preparations this week, with the first official practice set for Thursday.

To catch 'Cuse live, get your season tickets today by visiting Cuse.com/Tickets, calling 888-DOME-TIX or visiting the Box Office at Ensley Athletic Center. The season kicks off on January 7 when the Orange host Colgate.