After a light jog and team stretching, Syracuse began Tuesday afternoon’s practice in the Carrier Dome at a breakneck pace.

Rotating 5-on-4s started with Brian Megill, Brandon Mullins, Matt Pratt and Chris Daddio defending an offense consisting of JoJo Marasco, Luke Cometti, Jeff Desko and Kyle Henry. Bobby Wardwell scooped up quick shots, regardless of accuracy.

“Here you go, Bob,” long stick midfielder Joe Fazio shouted out as he sprinted up the sidelines, a player on either side of Wardwell, ready to start yet another 5-on-4.

Similar scenes are likely to play out Friday at 6 p.m. in the Dome, as the No. 16 Orange (1-1) hosts No. 6 Virginia (4-0).

“It maybe has the makings of being sort of an old-time Syracuse-Virginia lacrosse game,” UVA associate head coach Marc Van Arsdale said.

The rivals are known for playing fast, open lacrosse that, in the past, has lit up scoreboards. Anti-stall rule changes promise a return to the once-routine style, after the past few meetings have featured more measured approaches.

The Cavaliers represent SU’s sternest, most complete test of the season to date. Week one versus Albany was about containing the three-headed attack monster that was the Thompsons — the Orange failed. Sunday’s 6-2 victory over Army was the product of holding Garret Thul and John Glesener to one combined goal.

Virginia’s visit to the Dome promises much more in a full-field clash unlike any SU has seen this season.

“It’s definitely going to be more of a challenge,” Syracuse midfielder Scott Loy said.

A meeting between teams that prefer a purer attacking style does not guarantee high scores, though, as both teams boast experienced defenses.

Before Tuesday’s practice, SU assistant coach Kevin Donahue stood next to head coach John Desko, leaning in and showing Desko UVA’s slide packages to figure out how the Orange can free up goal-scorers. Virginia is quick to slide on defense, Donahue said. It can get away with it and recover because the unit is big, fast and full of veteran savvy.

The Orange is preparing for an open game, Donahue said. In the half-field, SU will look to attack the Cavaliers’ defense with its size in players like Cometti and Derek Maltz, while sticking to its normal attacking principles of width and quick ball movement.

Because UVA is so quick to slide, Loy said he expects to prepare with an emphasis on making two passes after the dodge.

The Cavaliers see a similar problem regarding how to attack the Orange. Van Arsdale scouted SU’s season-opener against Albany in the Dome and, despite the 16 goals conceded, he was impressed by the uncompromising athleticism of the Orange defense.

“They’re big and athletic, but also move their feet very well, and so they’re able to put pressure on you without getting run by consistently,” Van Arsdale said. “And I think being a veteran group, they’re pretty well-coordinated with each other and then you each just sort of have to earn everything you’re going to get in the half-field against their defense.”

UVA plans to attack the Orange in transition as often as possible. Van Arsdale singled out Megill and Mullins – each at least 6 feet, 1 inch and 210 pounds – as players his team has little hope of running past in any controlled setting.

The 31-goal SU-Albany game was an exercise in full-throttle offensive chaos at times. And while both sides expect an open game Friday night, Van Arsdale recalls marveling at the Thompsons’ ball control. His team had to take that approach, not the raw dodging tactic Army did.

“To attack that Syracuse team, you need to be good off the ball because it’s going to be hard to just slug it out and run by somebody with the people that they have playing on defense,” Van Arsdale said.

Yet for all of the video analysis, known defensive talent and game planning factored into the respective staffs’ preparation, the game is more than liable to run its own unpredictable course Friday night. True to the nature of SU-UVA, this week’s matchup will be a player’s game.

“For whatever reason, it’s always taken on a life of its own at some point,” Van Arsdale said. “ … So you might look at it and say it could end up being a relatively low-scoring game, but I throw those things out the window when it comes to this one, because when both teams start flying around, sort of anything can happen.”

Published on February 28, 2013 at 1:32 am

Contact Jacob: jmklinge@syr.edu | @Jacob_Klinger_