The Syracuse men’s lacrosse team, maligned in recent seasons for relinquishing committed recruits and falling short come NCAA tournament time, has landed a highly coveted transfer.
Chase Scanlan, a USILA second-team All-American midfielder who scored 43 goals as a freshman at Loyola, chose Syracuse over Virginia, Maryland, Johns Hopkins and Cornell. Inside Lacrosse’s Ty Xanders reported Scanlan’s decision Tuesday night, adding that the Irving, N.Y., native and member of the Seneca Nation’s Cattaraugus Reservation will don the historic Syracuse jersey No. 22. The number, notably donned by Gary Gait, Charlie Lockwood and all three Powell brothers, has not been worn since Jordan Evans graduated in 2017.
Breaking: Former @LoyolaMLAX All-American Chase Scanlan committed to @CuseMLAX earlier today. Posting 43 goals and 15 assists as a freshman, he’ll wear the famed No. 22 for the Orange. Story coming on @Inside_Lacrosse.
— Ty Xanders (@tyxanders) July 2, 2019
Scanlan, whose 43 goals were tied with Penn’s Sam Handley for tops among Division I midfielders, had entered the transfer portal last month.
In a statement issued to Lax Sports Network, he said “Loyola wasn’t the right fit atmosphere-wise within the locker room. I’m looking for somewhere a little bit more blue collared.”
He later clarified that statement in an interview with Inside Lacrosse, saying it was more of an issue with social dynamics off the field.
“Off the field, it wasn’t as welcoming or a good fit socially,” Scanlan said. “With me coming from a different background, maybe they expected me to be the same way that they are. Personally, it just wasn’t for me.”
Syracuse has a strong reputation among Native American players, especially those of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. The university’s Haudenosaunee Promise scholarship, established in 2006, provides an incentive in the form of a full ride.
Scanlan told Xanders he likely would play attack for Syracuse, who expect Tucker Dordevic back at midfield after he missed the 2019 season with a foot injury.