Cody Jamieson wasn’t satisfied and, standing on the other side of the Carrier Dome field Saturday, his head coach could already play Nostradamus. 

‘It was good to see Cody play well out there,’ SU coach John Desko said after the game. ‘He’ll probably be the first to tell you he could’ve had a couple more. But it’s good that he’s scoring at the right time of year.’

Later, Jamieson was asked about his performance on the day. One that included five points on the strength of a hat trick and two assists, including a behind-the-back flasher of a goal that has become something of the norm for Jamieson in the 2010 season. The five points matched a career-high and led No. 2 Syracuse to a 14-5 victory over winless Providence Saturday.

Like his coach said — Jamieson only wanted more.

‘I got stopped on the crease a couple times,’ Jamieson said. ‘Hit him in the leg a couple times.’

Through many games, Jamieson only points out areas where he could’ve done better. After SU’s 8-7 victory over Cornell on April 13, he lamented the inability to beat his defender all day despite scoring twice.

Saturday, those were his only comments on his finishing ability. And it marked the attitude transformation that has accompanied Jamieson all season long, his first full year at Syracuse after a rocky road that led him on the path. Almost exactly a year ago to the date on Saturday’s Senior Day game, Jamieson heard the news for which he had been hoping for months.

On April 23, 2009, he was cleared to play for the Syracuse men’s lacrosse team. It came after months of waiting in which the NCAA reviewed his junior college credits before granting a waiver to allow those credits to transfer.

And Saturday, he reflected on how long of a journey it has been.

‘That’s what’s making this day feel so good,’ Jamieson said. ‘There was definitely that time when I didn’t expect to be out here and definitely not out here on Senior Day. So I just kind of took it all in and had fun with it.’

Jamieson played his first game at Syracuse to much hype after two eye-popping seasons at Onondaga Community College. With Jamieson, OCC finished two consecutive seasons undefeated and won two JUCO national championships in a row.

He was cleared to play for the Orange’s contest with Massachusetts last season, a game SU won while Jamieson experienced his first college minutes.

That was about the only time last season he didn’t have an extended role in the Orange’s fortunes, however. It culminated in an overtime national championship victory over Cornell in which Jamieson tallied the winning goal.

‘There were definitely nights looking at your ceiling wondering if it was going to happen,’ Jamieson said of his journey to Syracuse following that game. ‘So I leaned on my family and friends and hoped it would happen. I practiced every day with the team, and I still felt like I was part of the team. They didn’t make me feel like I wasn’t a part of the team, and it’s a great feeling right now.’

And that momentum carried Jamieson to where he stands with the Orange this season — as one of its go-to scorers. He is currently second on the team with 23 goals and 35 points overall.

And he expects it. Moreover, he expects to be better with each and every game. One year later, Jamieson is just going along for the ride and having fun — such as with his frequent behind-the-back strikers of goals.

‘After I scored, looking at the sidelines and watching everybody smile,’ Jamieson said, ‘that’s what lacrosse is about. It’s about having fun, and I like bringing that kind of excitement.’ 

bplogiur@syr.edu

Published on April 25, 2010 at 12:00 pm