Syracuse University participated in a fall lacrosse tournament two weekends ago.

Mike Powell did not play.

Before all you Orange fans reach for the panic button, know this: Powell is fine. He looks to be in magnificent shape. His coach said he is eligible academically. But SU coach John Desko, mindful of Powell's past struggles with the books, has kept Powell out of fall games for precautionary reasons.

The Orangemen are scheduled to play Saturday against outside competition for the final time this fall. SU will compete in the inaugural Algonquin Cup at Harvard University's Jordan Field. The Orangemen play Notre Dame at 10 a.m. Dartmouth vs. Hofstra follows. The consolation game is slated for 3:30, with the final set for 6 p.m.

"If Mike participated in these fall scrimmages," Desko said, "and something happened (academically) where he wasn't able to participate in the spring, he would have used a whole year of eligibility."

Desko said he uses the fall campaign to evaluate young players and experiment with different combinations. Powell, the Tewaaraton Trophy winner two seasons ago and a three-time attackman of the year, offers no mystery to the Orange staff.

"He doesn't have anything to prove to the coaches or to his teammates," Desko said. "I just thought it was silly to take a chance and use him in these fall scrimmages."

Notes:

Midfielders Steve Vallone and Sean Lindsay, defender Dan DiPietro and goalie Jay Pfeifer have been voted co-captains of the 2004 Orangemen. SU players pick their captains. Desko said Vallone, the Corning native who has returned from a broken jaw, was a unanimous choice. ... Two key Orangemen have returned to practice. Attackmen/midfielders Brian Nee and Brian Crockett each nursed early injuries. Nee hurt his hand; Crockett his leg. ... Former SU star Ryan Powell has been working out with the Orangemen. Powell had knee surgery, which limited his ability to play last summer with the Major League Lacrosse Rochester Rattlers. He's been able to play with younger brother Mike and whittle his body into shape at the same time.

© 2003 The Post-Standard. Used with permission.