SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Redshirt junior Hakeem Lecky (Nantucket, Mass) and seniors Matt Harris (Buffalo Grove, Ill.), Derek Maltz (Ashburn, Va.) and Billy Ward (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) have been named captains for the 2014 season, head coach John Desko announced on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The four were elected in a vote by their teammates. Maltz will serve as a captain for the second year in a row, while the others will be in the role for the first time.
Lecky was a second-team midfielder last season and finished with nine points, including eight goals. Six of his eight goals came in the last eight games, including two against Notre Dame in the BIG EAST Tournament semifinals.
A 2013 All-BIG EAST Second Team performer, Harris led the team in caused turnovers (29) as the squad’s top long-stick midfielder. He ranked second on the Orange in ground balls (52) and contributed three points, including two goals, on offense. Harris has played in 53 games over his first three seasons.
Like Harris, Maltz earned All-BIG EAST honors in 2013. He was second on the team with 32 goals, and netted the game-winner off a rebound with 19.2 seconds left in the NCAA semifinals versus Denver to propel SU to the national championship game. Maltz has 79 points, including 63 goals, in his Orange career.
Ward started half of SU’s 20 games last year, splitting time on attack with Dylan Donahue (Camillus, N.Y.). Ward tallied a career-best two goals at Villanova during the regular season and recorded 11 goals and 16 total points on the year.
Syracuse concludes its fall practice season on Saturday, Oct. 12 with the Orange Alumni Classic at the Carrier Dome. The Orange varsity will square off against a team of Alumni All-Stars at 3 p.m. following a 1:30 p.m. ‘Legend’s Game.’ Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Parking is free in the lots surrounding the Dome.
