Syracuse men’s lacrosse midfielder Pat Perritt released a statement Sunday morning that he plans to withdraw from Syracuse University and the SU men’s lacrosse team ‘due to an ongoing medical condition which has recently worsened.’

‘On the recommendation of my doctor, I am withdrawing from school and returning to my home to Long Island,’ Perritt wrote in his statement. ‘My family and I appreciate the respect of our privacy regarding this matter.’

Mike Morrison, SU’s assistant director of athletic communications, wasn’t sure when Perritt made the decision. But he said Perritt requested to the athletics office on Friday afternoon that they release his statement on his behalf.

Perritt was not present at Syracuse’s game against Rutgers on Sunday. A preseason Tewaaraton Trophy nominee, Perritt scored seven goals this season, after a superb freshman year in which he scored 17 goals and was an honorable mention All-American.

Morrison said he is unsure if Perritt has already left campus. But Syracuse head coach John Desko suggested Perritt won’t return this year.

‘He could’ve played today and the rest of the season, but with what’s going on medically, we certainly understand,’ Desko said

Perritt and SU midfielder John Carrozza were arrested on March 11 for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The next day SU Director of Athletics Daryl Gross suspended them indefinitely.

On March 28, Perritt and Carrozza issued public apoligies and offered to attend alcohol counseling and community service. The next day, Perritt and Carrozza told The Daily Orange two weeks ago, Gross told them they were still on the team.

Perritt played a limited role against Loyola but scored two goals against Cornell on April 10. Carrozza’s return to the field has been more limited, since he’s been hobbled with a foot injury all year.

Perritt’s and Carrozza’s pre-trial last Thursday was canceled. Gary Sommer, the player’s attorney, told The Daily Orange last week that he faxed a request to Judge Vanessa Bogan’s office Wednesday asking for the postponement.

‘Both sides were not ready to dispose of the case yet,’ Sommer said last week. ‘There’s usually a certain amount of investigation that needs to be done, both by the lawyers and by the district attorney.’

Sommer couldn’t be reached for comment after Perritt’s statement was released. It’s unclear what Perritt’s medical condition is, although Perritt talked about his need to have alcohol counseling after his arrest.

‘I’ve been seeing an alcohol counselor every week and I’ve been figuring things out,’ Perritt told The Daily Orange two weeks ago. ‘These things can’t happen and things need to be changed. It put things into perspective with what everything means to you when this happens.’

Staff writer Kelvin Ang contributed to this report

Published on April 14, 2007 at 12:00 pm