2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeMLAX | Cruise control: After grueling start to month, SU earns lopsided win over hapless Binghamton
By Andy McCullough
Posted: 3/25/08, 1:04 AM EST Section: Sports
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Instead of frantic play from his front-liners, the Orange head coach had time to rest his starters. Instead of a three- or four-goal deficit against a top 10 opponent, SU had a more-than-10-goal lead and a 16-2 victory.
Instead of tension, Desko had relaxation.
A change of pace. He wasn't complaining.
"It definitely had a different feel to it going into the fourth quarter than it has the last few games," Desko said afterward.
He let out a small chuckle.
"It's been a month, you know."
After four games filled with anxiety, Syracuse (5-1) got a rest. Life was easier at the Carrier Dome: the win over the Bearcats (2-2) was the team's best statistical defensive performance since 1989, when it stomped Pennsylvania 22-1.
Syracuse, now tied with Duke for the No. 2 ranking in the nation, faces Hobart (3-3) tonight at 7 p.m. at McCooney Field, the Statesmen's home in Geneva, N.Y.
Saturday's victory came in front of 5,011 fans, the largest home crowd this season, in the second-ever meeting between the two programs.
It was a breather Syracuse had earned.
The Orange endured a tense slog of four straight one-goal games - the last three stretching into overtime - during which the team went 3-1, jumped into the top 5 in the polls and reestablished itself as a final four contender.
The Orange held off No. 13 Army, 8-7, on Feb. 24 before embarking on a brutal stretch to begin March, with road games against No. 1 Virginia (an overtime loss) and No. 6 Johns Hopkins (an overtime win) bookending a home clash with No. 5 Georgetown (an overtime win).
Senior midfielder Steven Brooks played the hero for those three games, scoring to send the first two into overtime, then netting the game-winner against Hopkins.
There was no need for more from Brooks Saturday, though, no want for furious rallies in the fourth like against Georgetown and Hopkins and no use for overtime adjustments.
And Desko had no problem with that.
"It was good to have the lead," he said. "Though I didn't think it was enough of a lead at halftime at whatever it was, 7-1. … I thought the team did a better job executing, and it definitely it was more relaxed as the game went on."
Syracuse chugged to that 7-1 lead, then cruised through most of the second half, subbing in backups liberally. Senior attack Mike Leveille led all scores, racking up four goals and an assist for the senior attack.
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