The Syracuse men’s lacrosse team opens its season Saturday and for the first time in the A.P. (After Powell) era, the Orange enters the season with a question mark at goalie.

SU head coach John Desko wouldn’t officially name a starter when he met with the media on Wednesday. Both the media and the fans must find out for themselves when No. 6 SU hosts No. 14 Army at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Carrier Dome.

The battle is between sophomore Jake Myers and redshirt freshman Pete Coluccini. Myers is the more experienced of the pair, but even his experience is scarce. (He’s limited to one game in 2005 against Rutgers). While Desko said he has a good idea of who’s going to start, expect the possibility that both Myers and Colucinni could split duties like they have during the preseason.

‘I wouldn’t be surprised as the year goes on, especially early on if we use both goalies,’ Desko said. ‘If one’s having a good day or had a great week at practice, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the other one out there.’

It’s a shift from the no-controversy, no-question story at goalie the past years.

The Orange entered last season – along with the prior three seasons – knowing Jay Pfeifer would start in goalie. Pfeifer was in a similar situation as Coluccini, redshirting his freshman season. He ended up starting for four seasons, winning two national championships and finishing with the second most saves in SU history.

‘It’s been quite awhile,’ Desko said. ‘In 1983, I think we had three goaltenders fighting for it. The good thing is, they’re both competing and they’re both playing well, so we’re pleased with the progress.’

Both Myers and Coluccini have confidence in their play and seemed ready for the decision either way. It’s a unique situation from many positional controversies, where one player is trying to unseat the other. In this battle, both players are capable and neither come in as the leading man.

‘Obviously I want to start, I’m ready to start, but whatever (Desko) decides, its fine,’ Myers said. ‘We’ve been splitting time so far. Whatever he decides, who’s going to start, if someone plays the whole game, it’ll be no big deal.’

Coluccini said the situation is similar to other high-caliber programs that enter the season with more than one capable goalie. Plus, competition is healthy. It’s not a rivalry where there’s discord. Rather, it’s two young goalies who both appear capable of starting for the Orange.

‘There’s going to be competition throughout the year,’ Coluccini said. ‘If you look at the top Division I schools now, every school has goalies who are competing. It’s one of those things that you don’t worry about the competition and just play your game. It’s good to have a goalie pushing you all the time.’

But regardless who plays goalie, preparing against Army will be a tough. The Black Knights have a new coach, Joe Alberici, and a new system. Alberici comes to West Point from Duke, where he was the associate head coach and helped lead the Blue Devils to a first national championship game. (The Blue Devils fell to Johns Hopkins, 9-8.)

Though Army features a new coach, it still has star attack John Walker. The senior is a preseason All-American and can cause headaches for the Orange’s defense. Coluccini said he played with Walker two summers ago and can attest to the Tewaaraton Trophy finalist’s skills.

Desko is confident that his seasoned defense – senior John Wright and junior Steve Panarelli are returning starters from last season’s squad – can help thwart Walker and Army. Behind the back line, though, is the question which Orange fans are awaiting an answer.

‘Whatever we’re lacking in leadership in goalie, we make up for at defense,’ Desko said. ‘(Goalie is) still a work in progress. Until we see the guys in a game situation, we’ll know better then.’

This and that …

Former Syracuse lacrosse stars Casey, Ryan and Mike Powell will be signing autographs at 3:30 p.m. They will be competing for Team USA in the International Lacrosse Federation World Championships in Ontario, Canada, in July.

Published on February 22, 2006 at 12:00 pm