As the Syracuse men’s lacrosse team finished its six-week fall ball session last weekend, SU head coach John Desko was blunt about whether veteran Pete Coluccini still has the starting position at goal.

‘I think the spot is wide open,’ Desko said this week. ‘Each (goalie) has their own strengths and whichever one can put it all together come spring time will have the job.’

Coluccini was the starter the last two years despite inconsistent play. He allowed 11.27 goals per game last year and often felt overwhelmed after teams exploited his slow reactions to shots.

He was pulled in the second half in SU’s loss to Johns Hopkins last year, but with the Orange lacking a definitive backup, Coluccini was an uncontested starter. He had a breakout game against Cornell in which he made a career-high 22 saves, including a spectacular one while sitting down that made ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter.’

John Galloway, who’s ranked the No. 2 goalie by Inside Lacrosse magazine, joins the Orange this year after earning first-team All-Central New York and U.S. Lacrosse All-American honors for West Genesee. He and Al Cavalieri, who played in one game last year, split time equally in Syracuse’s 13-11 and 14-8 victories over Stony Brook and Pennsylvania, respectively, last weekend.

Desko called Galloway ‘one of the better clearing goalies I’ve seen out of the goal in a long time.’

Coluccini didn’t express concern at the beginning of fall ball about the possibility of someone competing for his starting spot.

‘I think it’s always good to be playing with somebody behind you,’ Coluccini said as practices started. ‘When you have nobody behind you, then you know there’s a problem – whether it’s that the program isn’t as competitive anymore or people are satisfied with the way you’re playing. When people are satisfied with how you’re playing, that doesn’t have a driving force behind it. So to always have somebody behind you pushing you is always a necessity in any sport.’

Coluccini missed fall ball because of ankle surgery. Desko said he participated in warmups but avoided any game-like drills.

‘He’s certainly not ready to be out of the goal running around for rides and clears,’ Desko said. ‘We felt it was better for him to concentrate more on healing. We did get some warmups, mostly on his own. Hopefully in January, he’ll be another one who is 100 percent and ready to go.’

Desko likes enthusiasm

Desko already sees his team trying to rectify last year’s failed postseason appearance. With SU missing the playoffs for the first time in 25 years in 2007, Desko saw a stronger urgency during fall ball workouts.

‘Coming back after last year and the season we had, these guys are hungry and showing a lot of poise,’ Desko said. ‘They’re working very hard in conditioning and in the weight room. Everything is as good as it can be right now.’

If the fall serves as any indication, Desko expects good things in the winter conditioning program. Desko said there was strong attendance in the weight room and practice, and he feels confident that it can be carried over to better game performances. SU went 5-8 last season and 22-19 the last three years, only going to the Final Four once.

Desko shuffled his coaching staff for this season. Desko and former defensive coach Roy Simmons III will overlook the offense while Lelan Rogers and Kevin Donahue coach the defense. Donahue originally coached the offense last year while Rogers was the director of player development.

In the end, though, Desko hopes the more focused attitude will lead to better results in 2008.

‘You see it in the attendance and the enthusiasm,’ Desko said. ‘You sense a hunger and the ability to want to do much better this year. I think the guys are taking it upon themselves as individuals and as a team to do that.’

Injury update

Desko said senior midfielder Steven Brooks is rehabbing from his back surgery. A source close to Brooks told The Daily Orange this summer that Brooks underwent back surgery, correcting an injury that hampered him last season.

Nonetheless, Brooks was the team’s third-leading scorer last year with 19 goals and showed strong stick skills with both hands at midfield.

‘Hopefully after springtime, he’ll be 100 percent and ready to go,’ Desko said.

Desko said transfer Sid Smith, a former defenseman from Six Nations and Onondaga Community College, is still recovering from his toe injury. He practiced at close defense, though the SU coaching staff hoped he’d play at pole.

‘He’s a pretty good cover guy and has excellent stick work,’ Desko said. ‘He’ll really help us in clearing situations because he handles the ball well, sees the field and sees the open field in clearing situations.’

Published on October 17, 2007 at 12:00 pm