Fed to the lions

College stars relish the opportunity to take on the world's best lacrosse talent.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

By Donna Ditota

Staff writer

http://www.syracuse.com/sports/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1151745451174810.xml&coll=1

Matt McMonagle plays lacrosse twice a week during the summer in a recreational league that's more about fun and fitness than winning or losing.

The Cornell goalie, a second-team All-American, has not participated in a lacrosse game infused with much meaning since his Big Red lost to Massachusetts in the NCAA quarterfinals in May. But on Monday, all that will change.

McMonagle will stand in goal for the Upstate Collegiate All-Stars, a contingent of local players who will portray the Washington Generals to the United States National Team's Harlem Globetrotters.

The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Syracuse University's Coyne Field, represents Team USA's second of three scrimmages before it journeys to London, Ontario, to play in the World Lacrosse Championships (July 13-22).

The Americans are coached by Syracuse University's John Desko and feature all three Powell brothers - Casey, Ryan and Mike. Team USA's Pat McCabe and Roy Colsey are also former

Orangemen.

The Americans have won all but one of the previous eight World Championships and are the prohibitive favorites again this year. Their lineup is studded with former collegiate stars whose skills have inspired Desko to stretch for the superlatives to describe his overwhelming collection of talent.

And while that might be good for fans of Team USA, it's a bit intimidating for the college kids who face them Monday.

"I'm sure I'm going to give up a bunch of goals," McMonagle said. "But hopefully, I make a few saves out there."

"At first I was like, 'We're going to get killed by these guys,' " said Chris Doran, the Le Moyne defender who will play in Monday's game. "But then, when you think about it, these are the best players in the world. I don't think there's anything to be embarrassed about. They've done it to the best players in the game. Just to be on the same field with them will be amazing - a great opportunity."

Kyle Guadagnolo and Kenny Nims, members of the Upstate squad, remember what it was like the first time they squared off against Team USA. The SU players faced the national team in a scrimmage last fall. McCabe covered Nims, and before the game SU defender Steve Panarelli regaled Nims about how tough and how "crazy" McCabe was during his Syracuse playing days.

Then Nims stepped on the field and experienced it for himself.

"It's all kind of a blur because it seemed like I was running in slow motion and they were all just running by me," Nims said. "I felt like I was running for my life the whole game."

Guadagnolo wrestled with just how much aggression he should unleash in the game. He is probably SU's most physical defender, and yet, did he really want to be branded as the player who checked Mike Powell too hard and caused the game's most dynamic player an injury? Guadagnolo said he spent the first few minutes of that fall scrimmage feeling out the level of violence.

"You don't want to get a bad rep for yourself," he said, "but as soon as they hit you, you're like, 'OK, it's all right, it's all good.' "

For most of the Upstaters, Monday represents the first time they will be in such close proximity to players they once idolized. Chris Doran grew up in Syracuse and remembers being awestruck by the Powells every time he visited the Carrier Dome to watch them play. Now, he'll probably guard one of the brothers.

McMonagle grew up in suburban Philadelphia and counts Team USA goalie Trevor Tierney and defender Kyle Sweeney among his sports heroes.

The Upstate participants said they were motivated to play Monday by the chance to test themselves against competition they never expect to face again.

They also have no illusions about the game's outcome.

"I don't expect to beat them," Guadagnolo said. "But I want to show up, play my hardest and give them a good practice."

"I think it's just a really good opportunity," McMonagle said. "It's going to be a really fun atmosphere. I'm not sure exactly who else is on the team, but my (Cornell) teammates are excited to get out there, have a good time and test ourselves against the best players in the world."



Baseball Basketball Cross Country Golf Lacrosse Soccer Swimming & Diving Tennis Basketball Cross Country Lacrosse Soccer Softball Swimming & Diving Tennis Volleyball Why the Dolphins?Athletics Staff Directory Camps & Clinics Composite Schedule Fan Guide Marketing Media Relations Sports Medicine Student-Athlete Success Donate Online Hall of Fame & Awards Upcoming Events Booster Information Audio Streaming Dolphins Vision (Video)Wallpapers Photo Gallery Mobile Scoreboard Why Le Moyne?Admissions Financial Aid NCAA Eligibility Center Student-Athlete Handbook Questionnaire Merchandise Tickets
Home \| Roster \| Schedule \| Statistics \| Coaching Staff \| Recruit Questionnaire \| News Archive \| LeMoyne Lacrosse Camp
Fed to the lions College stars relish the opportunity to take on the world's best lacrosse talent. Saturday, July 01, 2006 By Donna Ditota Staff writer http://www.syracuse.com/sports/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1151745451174810.xml&coll=1 Matt McMonagle plays lacrosse twice a week during the summer in a recreational league that's more about fun and fitness than winning or losing. The Cornell goalie, a second-team All-American, has not participated in a lacrosse game infused with much meaning since his Big Red lost to Massachusetts in the NCAA quarterfinals in May. But on Monday, all that will change. McMonagle will stand in goal for the Upstate Collegiate All-Stars, a contingent of local players who will portray the Washington Generals to the United States National Team's Harlem Globetrotters. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Syracuse University's Coyne Field, represents Team USA's second of three scrimmages before it journeys to London, Ontario, to play in the World Lacrosse Championships (July 13-22). The Americans are coached by Syracuse University's John Desko and feature all three Powell brothers - Casey, Ryan and Mike. Team USA's Pat McCabe and Roy Colsey are also former Orangemen. The Americans have won all but one of the previous eight World Championships and are the prohibitive favorites again this year. Their lineup is studded with former collegiate stars whose skills have inspired Desko to stretch for the superlatives to describe his overwhelming collection of talent. And while that might be good for fans of Team USA, it's a bit intimidating for the college kids who face them Monday. "I'm sure I'm going to give up a bunch of goals," McMonagle said. "But hopefully, I make a few saves out there." "At first I was like, 'We're going to get killed by these guys,' " said Chris Doran, the Le Moyne defender who will play in Monday's game. "But then, when you think about it, these are the best players in the world. I don't think there's anything to be embarrassed about. They've done it to the best players in the game. Just to be on the same field with them will be amazing - a great opportunity." Kyle Guadagnolo and Kenny Nims, members of the Upstate squad, remember what it was like the first time they squared off against Team USA. The SU players faced the national team in a scrimmage last fall. McCabe covered Nims, and before the game SU defender Steve Panarelli regaled Nims about how tough and how "crazy" McCabe was during his Syracuse playing days. Then Nims stepped on the field and experienced it for himself. "It's all kind of a blur because it seemed like I was running in slow motion and they were all just running by me," Nims said. "I felt like I was running for my life the whole game." Guadagnolo wrestled with just how much aggression he should unleash in the game. He is probably SU's most physical defender, and yet, did he really want to be branded as the player who checked Mike Powell too hard and caused the game's most dynamic player an injury? Guadagnolo said he spent the first few minutes of that fall scrimmage feeling out the level of violence. "You don't want to get a bad rep for yourself," he said, "but as soon as they hit you, you're like, 'OK, it's all right, it's all good.' " For most of the Upstaters, Monday represents the first time they will be in such close proximity to players they once idolized. Chris Doran grew up in Syracuse and remembers being awestruck by the Powells every time he visited the Carrier Dome to watch them play. Now, he'll probably guard one of the brothers. McMonagle grew up in suburban Philadelphia and counts Team USA goalie Trevor Tierney and defender Kyle Sweeney among his sports heroes. The Upstate participants said they were motivated to play Monday by the chance to test themselves against competition they never expect to face again. They also have no illusions about the game's outcome. "I don't expect to beat them," Guadagnolo said. "But I want to show up, play my hardest and give them a good practice." "I think it's just a really good opportunity," McMonagle said. "It's going to be a really fun atmosphere. I'm not sure exactly who else is on the team, but my (Cornell) teammates are excited to get out there, have a good time and test ourselves against the best players in the world."