Each time Chris Daddio set out for practice in the offseason, the bitter end to last season was on his mind. So too was the backlash from Syracuse fans, serving as a reminder to why Duke was crowned national champions and the Orange wasn’t.

“I’ve seen the articles. I’ve seen all the comments. I’ve heard it all,” Daddio said. “I had some trouble. I had some success, but it was a little bit too inconsistent. After the way last year ended, that one really hit me harder than it ever has.

“I wanted to make sure I did everything I could.”

After a 9-for-30 performance at the faceoff X to end last year, the Orange’s faceoff specialists now come into this season with a chip on their shoulder. For the third straight year, Daddio is the first option for Syracuse at the X to start the year, followed by junior college transfer Mike Iacono.

If Monday night’s season-opening blowout win over Siena was any hint, No. 2 Syracuse (1-0) might be in line for some better fortune. The Orange controlled 12-of-18 faceoffs in the first half behind strong performances by Daddio and Iacono, and then SU sent out walk-on sophomore Austin Wentworth for a few battles at the X when it held a sizable lead.

And once sophomore Cal Paduda’s injured hand heals, SU will have another body to add to the mix.

“Faceoffs have obviously been a big point of emphasis,” senior attack Derek Maltz said, “and the coaches have done a great job getting those guys to go after each other each and every day. It’s a good battle.”

At least two or three times a week during the offseason, Daddio met with assistant coach Kevin Donahue for individual work on faceoffs.

Each day offered something different, Daddio said, whether it was running or how they tried to perfect his technique. His hard work reflected in his 10-of-17 results Monday night.

“It was a good start today,” he said. “Could’ve been a little bit better — maybe four or five more our way — but I mean, we’ve got a lot to work on.

“Me, Mike, no matter who’s out there, we’ve just got to make sure we keep it going and get better and better.”

What Iacono does, as he demonstrated Monday night, is offer a change of pace for Syracuse. Daddio’s wins at the X involved him dropping down as far to the ground as possible and securing possession himself.

Although Daddio is 6 inches shorter than Iacono, stature isn’t decisive for faceoff guys. Both specialist said that it’s all in the technique.

Iacono, at 6–foot-5, is the Orange’s only faceoff specialist who uses the motorcycle grip and doesn’t drop to his knees. His move is predicated on overpowering his opponent, flipping the ball ahead to himself and kick-starting a fast break.

“It creates offense for our team and we’re one of the best transition teams out there,” Iacono said. “The ball moves so smoothly.”

SU head coach John Desko has said he would love to have one player emerge as a dominant faceoff option.

But even as Daddio’s career has progressed and he gradually has taken a higher percentage of SU’s faceoffs, it’s been hard for Desko to ride one specialist. For as long as the senior has been at Syracuse, the Orange has been a faceoff-by-committee team.

Unless Daddio can create some separation between him and his teammates, that could be the case again this season.

“We’ve always had a team mentality, whoever can go out there and win the faceoffs,” Daddio said. “We’ve thrown as many as five guys in there in one game. Whoever can get out there and win faceoffs is really all we’re worried about.”

Published on February 12, 2014 at 1:39 am

Contact Phil: pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb