:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58432575/699213662.jpg.0.jpg)
The USILA/Nike Preseason Coaches Poll was released Tuesday with the Syracuse Orange ranked 10th overall. When SU returns to the field February 10 for a 1 PM bout with the Binghamton Bearcats, the Orange will be led by a staunch defensive unit. While there is talent all over the rest of the roster, question marks still exist.
As of right now, it appears Dom Madonna will be standing between the pipes. The Liverpool, NY native spent two years at Merrimack College before transferring to SU. The other glaring hole after the departure of Ben Williams is at the faceoff X where Danny Varello will be the number one FOGO for 2018.
Last week at media day, coach Desko mentioned that he thought the attack could surprise this year with Brendan Bomberry, Stephen Rehfuss, Nate Solomon, and Bradley Voigt as options. The midfield, however, may be the most fluid of any position right now. What we do know is that Jamie Trimboli will have to be a big contributor and should be the go to distributor.
Only four of the five ACC teams found their way into the Coaches poll with the Virginia Cavaliers missing the boat. Interestingly enough though, the folks at IL have the Cavs at the 16 spot in their preseason rankings. Comparing the Coaches Poll to the Inside Lacrosse Preseason Top 20, which was released a month ago, the voters all agree on the top ten teams but have slightly different orders.
On a related but unfortunate note, Adam Charalambides of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will miss the 2018 season with an ACL tear. The news comes as Charalambides was working towards returning to the field after missing the 2017 season with an ACL injury. This is a big blow to an RU attack unit that was slated to be one of the best in the country.
7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
10. Syracuse Orange
11. Johns Hopkins Blue Jays
13. Loyola Greyhounds
14. Towson Tigers
18. Penn Quakers
19. Hofstra Pride
20. Brown Bears