Wide-eyed and chock-full of ‘freshman jitters,’ goalie John Galloway watched as Army came into the Carrier Dome and molded his expectations of Division I lacrosse.

The then-freshman started the first game of his career in 2008, a 15-point thumping of Villanova, before having the Black Knights knocking on his door a week later.

But instead of a second-straight laughable opponent, Galloway saw a pack of scrupulous, well-engineered athletes already in mid-season forrm give the Orange one of its most trying games of the season.

‘It was tough last year,’ Galloway said. ‘You play against a team like Villanova, who we handled pretty well, then you get into Army. That’s when you really realize it’s a different kind of game. We’ve really got to come to play. We can’t make mistakes.’

The 8-7 Syracuse victory last year served as a wake-up call, a catalyst which sent the team stumbling through a three-game stretch against a slew of top-caliber programs, starting with a loss to then-No. 3 Virginia.

A year later, not much has changed for the No. 2 Orange (1-0). It started with another blowout win in its season opener and has a game against No. 1 Virginia looming in the not-so-distant future. But before the marquee matchup, Syracuse has to get by No. 18 Army once again, tonight at the Carrier Dome at 7 p.m.

In recent years, Army has been a roadblock in SU’s schedule. It is the seventh year in a row these two teams have played. The game remains sandwiched between the anticipated season opener and a potential final four matchup.

The Black Knights serve as a lesson in lacrosse for the younger Orange players, a test of fitness and conditioning for the more experienced, all the while being the stubborn gatekeeper to the rest of SU’s difficult schedule.

‘You have to prepare for this kind of game,’ head coach John Desko said. You have to be patient, and you can’t make mistakes against (Army).’

Senior defender Sid Smith remembers his first Army game just like Galloway. His senses were heightened; his awareness and discipline were challenged, as he was forced to play at a higher level than before.

‘You never really know what kind of team you’re going to get,’ Smith said. ‘They’re just really disciplined, they never force anything in, and they stick to their set plays and set offenses. It takes more discipline; they’re very methodical.’

In a series ripe with consistency, it seems the only things that have really changed are the faces.

Gone is Orange senior attack Mike Leveille, who scored four goals against Army in the final two periods to help SU break away from a deadlock at halftime.

Gone also are six of the Black Knights, who mounted a 4-2 run to come within one shot of tying the game.

But just like Galloway and Smith grew up in the offseason, so did the Army players, who had their eye-opening experience at the Carrier Dome in 2008.

‘I think the attack is going to be good,’ Desko said. ‘They have Jeremy Boltus from Baldwinsville, and I think their first midfield is going to be strong too.’

If anything, Desko wanted to instill the fact that Army is more than just a ‘trap game.’ Far from a cupcake nestled into the early spots in the schedule, the Black Knights have cemented themselves as a crucial test for the Orange – a one-game barometer for the first half of the season.

‘We weren’t pushed like we’re going to be pushed (against Army),’ Desko said. ‘Traditionally, they will always be great defenders and this year they’re better offensively. They returned more players, there’s a lot of senior leadership. They’re getting awfully comfortable here (at the Carrier Dome).’

ctorr@syr.edu

Published on February 19, 2009 at 12:00 pm