IL: 2016 DI Top Units | Syracusefan.com

IL: 2016 DI Top Units

OrangeXtreme

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2016 DI Top Units: Attack

6. Syracuse
Dylan Donahue (50G, 21A) —
About as sure of a thing as there is in college lacrosse, Donahue’s a lefty who’s a good decision-maker and has shown the ability to improve; he’s gone from shooter/finisher to ball-carrier/dodger, and it’ll be interesting to see the feeding role he takes on in Kevin Rice’s absence.

Nick Mariano (22G, 20A) — The junior transfer from UMass is a wildcard for the Orange. He led the Minutemen in scoring each of his two seasons in Amherst, and if he meshes with Donahue, his output could reach new heights.

Jordan Evans (9G, 3A) — IL’s No. 1 recruit in 2013, the junior has battled injuries and finding his groove as a midfielder since stepping on campus. If he can stay on the field full-time (by remaining healthy and as an attackman), he could meet the projections once put on him.

Depth — There’s a lot but, not unlike the starters, there are some questions. Senior Tim Barber had 17 points last season and is the best-known quantity. Nick Piroli is a fifth-year from Brown who had 34 points last season. Gale Thorpe is a redshirt freshman who has some big upside. Freshman Nathan Solomon was an Under Armour All-American. Whoever doesn’t get on the field consistently as an attackman is likely to run out of the box.
 
2016 DI Top Units: Defense

7. Syracuse
Defensive Midfield — The Orange defense starts at the face-off X, where junior Ben Williams rarely lets opponents get the ball. Redshirt senior Tom Grimm returns as a top shortstick d-middie. Replacing longstick Peter Macartney is a priority — Scott Firman will take on a bigger role and a handful of young poles, like Under Armour All-American Tyson Bomberry, will look to get on the field.

Close Defense — Brandon Mullins is back as a redshirt senior and a first-team All-American after generating Schmeisser Award buzz at mid-year in 2015. He’s picked up 81 groundballs and caused 45 turnovers in his first three seasons. Senior Jay McDermott returns as a full-time starter, and in the mix to replace Sean Young are Bobby Tait and Ralph D’Agostino. Freshman Nick Mellen reportedly played so well in the fall that the coaching staff will have to get him on the field.

Goal — The Orange will have one of the most interesting stories in net as senior OCC transfer Warren Hill looked excellent in the fall and primed to take over for Bobby Wardwell full-time in net.
 

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