Syracuse Postgame Quotes - Syracuse University Athletics

Syracuse vs. Providence
February 15, 2009
Carrier Dome/Syracuse, N.Y.

Coach John Desko
Opening statement:
“I think it was a good game for us today. It was nice for us to be here in the Carrier Dome, out of the elements. I thought we were off to a patient start. We got the possessions we wanted early and took some good shots. We kind of broke things open as we got into the end of the first and second quarter, and felt good about what we were doing there and still staying relatively within the offense and the defense.

“I was certainly happy to keep the visiting team’s scoreboard end as low as possible. We wanted to maintain that throughout the game. We got some great work against zone defense, which I’m sure we’re going to see in the future. On top of it all, we got a lot of people in the game. We started subbing in at the start of the third quarter and we got a lot of people got a chance to play. All and all, a good day for us.”

On maintaining the quick scoring towards the end of the first half:
“I think we started to get on a little bit of a run there. But again, we knew that if Providence had possessions, they were going to be patient when they had the ball today. So I think we kind of picked away at it early but it was good. It got us going between the TV timeout and a couple other timeouts and we tried to slow it down but maintain the momentum- it was good for us.”

On finally playing another team:
“It was great. We’ve had a couple of scrimmages the past few weekends, but there’s nothing like getting out in the Carrier Dome with your uniforms on with officials and playing a game that counts. Again, I thought the guys executed well and as the day went on, we got better. And that’s real good to see especially with Army coming in here on Friday.”

On maintaining focus despite the large lead:
“I’m pretty happy with that. I think we talked about it during the timeouts and in between the periods. I told them that it’s the first game of the season and we needed to pretend it was zero-zero and go out there and play our game.

“At one point, I looked and we were 9-9 in the clear, so that’s a good thing. When things start to go our way we get a little anxious and want to start the fast breaks and throwing the ball away. Again, the clears were a good thing for the coach.

“There were certainly some concessions I thought, it was kind of pick your poison. They went with the higher percentage and didn’t want us to get caught up in the fast break and get aim. So at times, they did a good job at getting back for that.”

On improvements that can be made:
“Anytime you turn the ball over or don’t execute well, you don’t like that. But, for the most part, guys were doing what they should’ve been doing today. Again, I’ve talked about being zero-zero between the periods and coming out playing our game. So I’m happy about that at this stage in the game.”

On Stephen Keogh’s play:
“Stephen’s been doing a great job moving off the ball and reading the defenses. I thought he shot well today. Last weekend, he got frustrated early but we didn’t see any of that today, he was very comfortable. I think it’s going to continue from here and I’m happy for him to finish like that, that’s what he’s out there for.”

On this game being a preview for a BIG EAST Conference game next year:
“I think it’s good experience for them long-term. You’re getting into the Carrier Dome with a larger crowd than you’re used to, with the lights and the music, it’s a playoff atmosphere. So the more they experience those kinds of games and venues, the better they’re going to be in the long-run.”

Sid Smith, Senior, Defense
On maintaining focus despite the large lead:
“I think it was a bit easier on the defensive end. When the numbers are low, that’s where you want to keep them. As long as you play well, that’s what’s important. So the longer we play better, the better for us.”

On the defense’s play:
“I thought they did great. John [Galloway] is real athletic and he communicates real well and he did a great job today. The other guys did well today too. They all did their job when they came in.”

Kenny Nims, Senior, Attack

On the “hidden ball” trick:

“It wasn’t something I had planned out, but they fell for it.”

On the chemistry with Stephen Keogh:

“Last year, myself and Mike [Leveille] had some great chemistry. Earlier this year with Fall Ball and the preseason, Steve and I are starting to get some of the same thing going. So, we both know each others’ tendencies and it’s something that’ll get better every week this season.”

On preparations for the game against Army:

“It starts tomorrow for \Army. We know they like to sit on the ball and play a slower style of game, so we’re going to go over all of those things. We’re going to take it one game at a time like we did last year. Last week was all about Providence and this week will be all about Army.”

Pat Perritt, Senior, Midfield

On putting last season behind them:

“I think as the season started, it’s much easier to put last season behind us and focusing on who we’re playing next. Now, our focus will be on who we’re playing next instead of what went on last year and defending the national championship.”

On igniting a scoring streak in the first half:

“The defense seemed like when the pole was on the crease, he was trying to slide real early. Dan Hardy popped off the crease and I pretended to pass to him so the long pole would leave the crease and then I went to the cage and there was nobody left to slide.”

On keeping focus despite the big win today:

“I think that’s a challenge, to not get too high after wins and not get too low after losses. I think that’s just something that I let the guys know everyday, that we have a good opponent coming. We need to stay focused and keep working hard and things will work out the way we want them to. We need to make sure every day’s a battle in practice and we need to keep going 100-percent.

Stephen Keogh, Sophomore, Attack

On his scoring today:

“It was good to get the first shot in the back of the net. I kept getting open and Kenny [Nims] kept feeding me and it was good to finally get back on track.”

On the faceoffs today:

“We were happy with what we were doing there. I thought we won more than what the stats showed but I thought Jake Moulton did a nice job and really worked hard to get the ball to the right spots. We didn’t give up anything fastbreak-wise there. At least we competed and we won our fair share. It helped keep the ball away from the other team and helped give the ball to our offense.”