Syracuse, Cornell to play for 99th time in in-state rivalry
Logan Reidsma | Staff Photographer
SU head coach John Desko is excited to play Cornell, and had his team practice outside on Monday in preparation for potentially inclement Ithaca weather.
Despite the alternative of practicing within the dry, covered confines of Manley Field House on Monday, Syracuse ventured into the wet, miserable outdoors.
The Orange will face a similar setting Tuesday night, with much more on the line.
“Saturday, I think there was a combination of snow, rain and hail,” senior Derek Maltz said. “The weather hasn’t been too good, but we’ve toughed it out. The energy’s remained high all week, so we’re ready.
“To be able to go to Cornell and to come out with a win would be huge, not only for the program but I think our season, as well.”
No. 7 Syracuse and No. 6 Cornell will square off for the 99th time Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Schoellkopf Field, and write another chapter of the longtime Central New York rivalry that dates back to 1920. The Orange (6-3, 1-3 Atlantic Coast) has the upper hand on the Big Red (9-1, 3-1 Ivy League) 62-35-1 all time, including a 13-12 upset of Cornell at the Carrier Dome last season.
This time, Cornell looks to bounce back from that loss and its loss to Harvard on Saturday — its first of the season — which some SU players attended.
“We really look forward to this game every year,” SU head coach John Desko said. “To have a chance to go down and beat Cornell will only help our cause.”
On April 10 of last season, the second-ranked Big Red took the hour-long trip up Interstate 81 for a showdown with the No. 7 Orange, having beaten SU by six goals in 2012.
Led by senior attack Rob Pannell — who would go on to win last year’s Tewaaraton Award — and midfielder Connor Buczek, Cornell built a three-goal lead in the second half.
But behind a 4-2 fourth quarter, Syracuse managed to steal the game and come away with the win.
“They’re definitely going to be unhappy with their loss and they remember what happened last year,” Maltz said. “It was great to come out on top with a ‘W,’ but we know that they’re going to come ready to play.”
Buczek, who Maltz dubbed the top midfielder in college lacrosse today, returns this year and heads an experienced Cornell offense that ranks second in the NCAA and will be looking to get back on track against the Orange.
Said SU goalie Dominic Lamolinara: “It’s just going to be that same old upstate rivalry. We want to be that upstate, great team.”
Published on April 8, 2014 at 1:00 am
Contact Phil: pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb
