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The Syracuse Orange wrapped up their preseason play as they beat both Maryland and Canisius Thursday in the Carrier Dome.
The offense woke up for Syracuse in both games, putting up 21 goals on the day. After a 11-9 victory over the Terps, the Orange went on to beat Canisius 10-6. The attack looked as if it had got a few of the kinks out as the starting attack of Tim Desko, JoJo Marasco and Stephen Keogh combined for 10 points on the day.
Marasco looked like the quarterback of the offense people have been talking about as he put up two goals and added two assists.
"We really practiced this week on moving the ball more and that’s what we are going to keep working on," Marasco said after the game. "We are starting to figure out everyone’s tendencies on our attack and midfield and we are starting to become more comfortable with one another." (via SUathletics.com)
--JoJo Marasco on the SU Offense
The Orange also seemed to slightly fix their face off issues as they went 14-24 on the day. Senior Josh Knight went 4-7 and freshman Ricky Buhr is making a name for himself as he was 5-7 on the day. Jeremy Thompson was perfect going 2-2.
It was a good way for the Orange to respond after last weekends lackluster showing on offense against Hofstra. It was more of the tempo Coach Desko likes to run, as expected when Maryland and Syracuse square off.
In the second game against Canisius, it was good to see some of the second tier players put up good numbers. Attackmen Collin Donahue and Ryan Barber each played well against the Griffins. Donahue, who sat out last year due to transfer policy, put up 4 points (1g, 3a). Barber, who pushed for playing time in 2010, added two goals.
It was a very good sign to see the attack unit mesh as the season is only 10 days away. While the second midfield unit of Pete Coleman, Jeff Gilbert, and Stephen Ianzito and/or Tom Palasek didn't make much noise, its never a bad sign when Desko can roll two midfield lines deep and its only a matter of time before the second unit will be set and will gel together.