The way John Desko talks, you really have to believe it’s a Roadrunner vs. Wile E. Coyote thing.

‘We always enjoy a UMass-Syracuse game,’ the SU men’s lacrosse coach said Thursday.

And why not?

Perhaps Desko was merely paying homage to the Orangemen’s next opponent, but Syracuse’s unbeaten streak against Massachusetts is 21 years running. Even the ole’ Coyote managed to avoid the anvil every few years.

Sans an Acme jet pack — though one might fit their fast-paced offense — the No. 8 Minutemen (10-2) have a chance to end the dubious streak tonight at 7 when they visit the Carrier Dome to meet the No. 2 Orangemen (10-2).

Searching for a possible UMass edge?

Consider momentum. Since starting the season with a 12-11 loss against Hofstra, UMass has rattled off 10 of 11, including a 16-13 win Saturday over Georgetown to clinch the ECAC title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament, the Minutemen’s first appearance since 1997.

But if it’s momentum you want, then it’s momentum you get from the Orangemen, winners in six of seven, including a 12-7 victory last Friday over Pennsylvania in which the Orangemen pulled away convincingly in the second half.

‘It seems like we usually spot the opposing team three or four goals before we start scoring,’ SU attackman Mike Powell said after that game. ‘But (Friday) we were able to keep the clamp down on them. We need to do that if we want to win the national championship.’

Indeed, the last two games of SU’s season — tonight’s and a week from tomorrow against No. 5 Georgetown (9-1) — will determine whether the Orangemen cruise or crawl into the postseason.

And cruising might not be all that implausible with the Orangemen back on the Carrier Dome turf for the first time since an April 6 win over Loyola. SU’s quick-strike offense thrives on the turf, especially at home, where the Orangemen are 15-1 the last two-plus seasons.

‘We’re home here, on a fast track,’ Desko said. ‘They like to push the ball, too. This isn’t the type of team that we’re used to playing against.’

Surprise. A possible edge for UMass.

Desko’s right, too. The Minutemen’s 166 goals — 13.8 per game — are just three fewer than the Orangemen’s total. On the turf, UMass won’t back down either, turning to the four-pronged offense of attackmen Marc Morley (38 points) and Dan Paccione (37) and midfielders Kevin Leveille (36) and Chris Fiore (32).

Syracuse hasn’t faced the prospect of a real slugfest like this all season as most teams try to slow the SU offense by delaying on attack.

So, the goalies should see plenty of action in this one. For Syracuse, that’ll mean redshirt freshman goaltender Jay Pfeifer — who Powell said last Saturday, ‘is starting to see the ball well and get comfortable’ — must save more shots than his 8.97 season average. The Minutemen turn to freshman Bill Schnell (.580 save percentage, 9.09 goals-against average). Look for Syracuse to go after Schnell early, especially since it’ll be the rookie’s first visit to the Dome.

Despite their two-decade win drought, don’t bet on the Minutemen coming out scared. Under eighth-year head coach Greg Cannella, they’ve gone from a 6-8 team two years ago to posting a combined record of 22-4 this season and last.

‘I don’t know if you’d call it intimidation,’ Desko said. ‘I think it’s probably more motivation for them. But we’ll savor it.’

Staff Writer Chico Harlan contributed to this story.

Published on April 25, 2002 at 12:00 pm