The Syracuse men’s lacrosse team embarked on a ‘Revenge Tour’ in 2008, picking off each opponent that had defeated it during its dismal 5-8 campaign in 2007. But one team managed to elude it – Colgate.

‘We have a big game against Colgate in the Dome this week,’ SU goalie John Galloway said. ‘It’s Senior Day, and we’re going to try to get revenge for last year’s game.’

Syracuse lost to the Raiders last season, 12-11, in the regular-season finale. In the postseason, the Orange rebounded quickly from the loss to its Central New York foe and eventually advanced to win the national championship title. No. 1 Syracuse (11-2) will have its shot to take down No. 17 Colgate (9-5) for the first time since 2006 Saturday at the Carrier Dome (TW 26, 2 p.m.).

The Orange will have some added incentive heading into Saturday after being ranked No. 1 in the Inside Lacrosse/Nike Media poll Monday for the first time this season after defeating Massachusetts 10-3 this past weekend. If Syracuse defeats Colgate, it has the chance to retain the top ranking going into the NCAA tournament in two weeks.

SU’s prospects on exacting revenge on Colgate increased when the NCAA cleared JUCO-transfer attack Cody Jamieson Thursday.

Against Massachusetts this weekend, Jamieson saw four minutes of play, lumbering toward the goal twice on two promising possessions. He netted a goal which was called back due to a crease violation.

‘I looked up and thought, ‘You know, it would be a good time to get Cody in.’ It was a good time because I wanted to get Cody’s feet wet,’SU head coach John Desko said. Even without Jamieson, the rest of the Syracuse attack is hitting its stride.

Sophomore Stephen Keogh has registered a hat trick in four consecutive games dating back to April 7. Captain Kenny Nims extended his point-scoring streak to 29 games with four points against UMass. With Keogh and Nims leading the way, Syracuse’s offense could become an issue for Colgate goalie Tim Harrington, who yields 9.62 goals per contest.

The SU senior class has only defeated Colgate once, a 17-8 win in 2006 in Hamilton, N.Y. So as the seniors celebrate Senior Day this Saturday, they will get a chance to even the score.

‘Colgate … is a very good – a great – game for us. They’re a very good lacrosse team,’ Desko said about the possible end of the series with the Raiders. ‘They’re good in the RPI, they’re good in strength of schedule, and they’re right down the road.’

In order to keep its No. 1 ranking and avenge the losses, the Orange will have to follow what Desko has stressed all season – the importance of playing a full 60 minutes of lacrosse.

After dominating UMass, the Orange thinks it has accomplished that task. SU is also gaining new experiences in its recent contests. After Syracuse’s 15-13 win over Albany April 17, Midfielder Matt Abbott said that almost losing a lead like the Orange did that day helps puts the game flow in perspective.

‘You like to learn your lessons and win, obviously you learn some things when you lose too, but I think we learned our lesson,’ Abbott said. ‘We got to play four quarters every game, we can’t relax at any moment.’

After falling into a 10-6 hole in the fourth quarter of its 2008 matchup with the Raiders and not being able to recover, playing a ‘full 60 minutes of lacrosse’ will aid its effort for revenge.

‘We’re going to look forward going into the playoffs for people to keep stepping up and doing what we have been doing all year,’ Nims said.

mkgalant@syr.edu -Asst. Sports Matt Ehalt contributed reporting

Published on April 27, 2009 at 12:00 pm