A little experience goes a long way.

The Syracuse men’s lacrosse team’s defense is learning that lesson this season. With transfer Dan DiPietro and sophomore Donn Vidosh starting alongside senior Sol Bliss, the Orangemen have given up 10.1 goals per game. Bliss has criticized the defense’s communication, though he said earlier this week: “It’s getting better.”

Things couldn’t be more ideal on defense for No. 11 Loyola, which the No. 4 Orangemen play Saturday at 3 p.m. at Curley Field. Two juniors, Bernie Cannon and David Shortt, lead a Greyhound defense backstopped by senior goaltender Mark Bloomquist. Loyola surrenders 7.7 goals per game.

“They play good team defense,” Syracuse attackman Liam Banks said. “And they’re gonna go after us. We’re gonna be in Baltimore, and the refs don’t really like us down there. So we’re gonna have to overcome some adversity.”

Said SU head coach John Desko: “(Loyola) tries to pack it around a good goaltender and force you to take shots. They don’t like to give you the crease area or the middle of the field.”

Last year, SU beat Loyola, 15-6, in the Carrier Dome. But in 2001, the Greyhounds topped SU, 14-13, in overtime in Baltimore. This year, Loyola (5-2) has lost to then-No. 10 Duke, 10-4, and then-No. 18 Towson, 15-10. SU is coming off a 16-7 win last Saturday over Brown.

The Orangemen’s defense played better in that game, Bliss said, before quickly adding, “we could’ve done better.” His standards, of course, are high, having played with All-Americans Billy St. George and John Glatzel last season. To be fair, SU (5-2) has already played its three toughest opponents — Princeton, Virginia and Johns Hopkins — which hurt the defense’s stats.

Loyola’s attack, while not as intimidating as SU’s unit, boasts two players with 20 points or more. Junior Stephen Brundage has 24, and senior Chris Summers has 20. This year, Brundage has taken on more of a quarterback role for the Greyhounds, running their offense much like Banks does for the Orangemen.

“(Brundage) is a very smart, intelligent, savvy player,” Desko said. “He’s really quick to take advantage of defensive mistakes. You turn your head for too long, and he’s gonna backdoor you.”

Said Bliss: “The best part about him is he’s smart off the ball.”

As for the Orangemen, they’ll look to rely more on their attack unit, which struggled at times earlier this season. Against Brown, though, attackers Mike Springer and Mike Powell had three goals each.

“We’re gonna keep our same game plan,” Banks said. “We’re not gonna stop running all year.”

On Friday night, the Orangemen will likely be running through the buffet line. Per tradition, SU will have dinner at the Cockeysville, Md., home of junior attackman Brian Nee. The Orangemen also made the trip when Nee’s brother, Tom, played at SU from 1998-2001. Nee’s parents, Richard and Maureen, go all out for the affair, preparing buckets of wings and platters of ziti.

Bliss is the dinner’s biggest fan.

“If anyone goes home hungry, it’s their own fault,” he said. “I spend a good hour just straight eating.”

Published on April 3, 2003 at 12:00 pm