When Tim Desko sat out four games after being injured in an assault in Armory Square on March 18, it was freshman JoJo Marasco who stepped up. So when Marasco was restricted to the sidelines with an injury of his own, it was only fitting that Desko answer the call.

Something he took care of Sunday night at Rutgers.

‘I feel great and I will just take whatever I can get out there,’ Desko said. ‘I just try to play as best as I can and get better every game.’

Desko scored two goals and had one assist against the Scarlet Knights. All of his points came during a decisive, game-clinching 6-3 run by the Orange that spanned parts of the third and fourth quarters.  

Through the season’s first four games, Desko tallied four goals and two assists. He was making the most of the time he saw on the field. After he suffered the injury off the field, Desko’s progress was put on hold.

He missed four games, the first coming against rival Johns Hopkins. But he came back on a big stage against Princeton on April 10 at the New Meadowlands Stadium and made his presence felt.

With his team on top of the Tigers 6-2, Desko showed the record crowd something to get excited about. He caught a pass on top of the crease with his back to the goal. Desko bent over and converted an underhand shot between his legs.

And on Sunday, he showed remnants of that flare. He caught a pass from Joe Coulter with his back to the cage. As Rutgers defenders converged on him, Desko fired a no-look shot as he was falling down. It appeared he did not even see the net.

And this time, he was just happy it found the back of the cage.

‘It just happens and every time that happens I don’t plan it,’ Desko said. ‘I am lucky that one went in, or else I would have been on the bench.’

The Orange is lucky Desko is back, as well.

Since his return, the sophomore has five goals and two assists in just three games. Against Rutgers, with the SU offense missing Marasco, Desko saw increased time at attack. Chris Daniello had success working from the top, so Desko played from behind the net.

His first goal of the game came when he scooted in from behind the net and spun in front of the goal to put the Orange up 4-0. He then set up Max Bartig seven minutes later. 

Not only was Syracuse in need of someone to play behind the goal, but it was also in need of offense after scoring just two goals through the game’s first 30 minutes. Daniello was the only Orange player to score. So after the half, Desko looked to capitalize on his increased minutes.

In addition to the absence of Marasco, SU’s leading goal-scorer Keogh has struggled over the last three games. Keogh has just one goal and two assists over the last three games. Desko has seen even more time at attack.

But amid those question marks, it is Desko who has emerged. With Marasco’s timetable to return uncertain, Daniello and the rest of the Orange know they have someone who can get them going.

‘Tim (Desko) came in and did a great job,’ Daniello said. ‘He had a couple goals and assists, and if he goes in I can go up top. We have tons of talent and different people can play.’

restern@syr.edu