MLAX : Syracuse wins faceoff battle in loss; Donahue provides lift off bench in 2nd half
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – For once, faceoffs weren’t the reason Syracuse lost.
All season long, draws have been one of SU’s biggest weaknesses. The Orange’s struggles at the X have limited its possessions and given opponents the chance to hold onto the ball for as long as possible if they want to.
Eliminate the faceoff futility and wins should follow. Against Duke, though, 14-of-25 faceoff victories did not translate to a win.
On paper, Syracuse was going to be at a stark disadvantage against Duke. Blue Devils faceoff specialist C.J. Costabile came into Sunday’s game with a 56 percent winning percentage at the X, while both of the Orange’s faceoff men were at less than 50 percent. Ricky Buhr took most of the draws for SU, winning 10-of-18 chances, while Chris Daddio won 4-of-7. Overall, it was a solid performance from both that kept head coach John Desko from having to rotate a number of players in to find consistency.
‘We used some different people on the wings today, and coach (Kevin) Donahue did a really good job of evaluating the Duke guys,’ Desko said. ‘… But we really competed there, and we know that we have to going into every game.’
The importance of faceoff victories was established early, as Duke committed a loose-ball push on Buhr and Syracuse earned possession. That set up a goal from midfielder Hakeem Lecky just 47 seconds into the game to give the Orange an early 1-0 lead.
After the Blue Devils scored four minutes later, Syracuse won the ensuing faceoff to answer right back. The Orange won possession, and midfielder Luke Cometti took a hard shot from 10 yards out to retake the lead for SU.
Syracuse didn’t hold a significant advantage, as it only won three more draws than Duke. But Desko said that’s one part of the Orange’s game that is still consistently lagging, and this is a step in the right direction.
‘We haven’t been doing well,’ Desko said. ‘If nothing else, I think we have to have the effort, and I think we showed that today.’
Donahue sees extended time at attack
Syracuse’s leading scorer Derek Maltz did not play for much of the second half of Syracuse’s 12-10 loss to Duke on Sunday.
The sophomore attack, who entered the contest with 13 goals and six assists, was replaced by Collin Donahue for the majority of the third and entire fourth quarter.
‘I think, Derek, when given some opportunities they short-sticked him a few times, and we’ve been playing Collin right along,’ Desko said. ‘ … It was nothing against Derek, (Donahue) just got in and produced.’
Maltz has struggled in recent games, failing to score a goal since Syracuse’s game against Providence on March 21. He was held without a goal against Villanova on March 25 and failed to score a point Sunday.
Donahue filled in nicely at the attack position, finishing with one assist, but he had a flurry of chances late in the game.
He nearly swept a ground ball in front of the net into the goal in the third quarter, but it rolled just wide. With less than seven minutes to go and Duke leading 11-10, Donahue almost tallied the game-tying goal when he fired a shot toward the goal from 5 yards out. But Duke goaltender Dan Wigrizer made a kick save to preserve the Blue Devils’ one-goal lead.
Overall, Desko was pleased with what he saw from Maltz’s replacement.
‘Collin got in and got a nice assist early and a couple of what you call hockey assists where he made a decision to pass the ball to someone who passed to the open man for a goal,’ Desko said. ‘I think he made some good decisions. We liked what he was doing when he was in there.’
Game provides glimpse of future rivalry
Syracuse’s game against Duke was important because of the win column, but it provided no definite postseason or tournament implications. That’s all going to change soon when the Orange officially makes the move to the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Blue Devils head coach John Danowski downplayed the possibility of a future intense rivalry, saying that every game Duke plays is a rivalry game because of a limited amount of teams it plays. Still, Danowski said he and his players always know that playing Syracuse comes with some extra intensity.
‘Playing Syracuse, it is like playing Notre Dame, the Yankees, Boston Celtics all rolled into one in our sport,’ Danowski said. ‘It’s always a tremendous challenge to play Syracuse.’
Orange head coach John Desko was more open about the prospects of an intense rivalry between the two teams, and it’s one he said he would welcome. Both teams play similar run-and-gun, physical styles, something
Syracuse doesn’t see a whole lot in the Big East.
Once SU moves to the ACC, Desko said it’ll be a consistent opportunity to match up against a competitive team for additional battles.
‘We look forward to that. They’re obviously a team that plays like we like to play,’ Desko said. ‘… We’ve played a couple years in a row now, and I look forward to a new tradition.’
