Early in the second half of the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team’s March 5 loss to No. 1 Virginia, Orange sophomore midfielder Ashley Pike failed to corral a groundball.

Unfortunately for Pike, her minor misfortune stood out, because it happened right in front of SU assistant coach John Battaglino.

‘Pick up the goddamn thing, Ashley!’ Battaglino screamed. His voice boomed throughout a silent and near-barren Carrier Dome.

Battaglino’s fiery nature brings a fresh approach to the program, now in its eighth year of existence. Battaglino is the first male assistant coach ever on head coach Lisa Miller’s staff.

His words will resonate from the sidelines again tonight when the No. 17 Orange hosts Brown at 8 in the Carrier Dome.

Like all Orange players, Pike knows none of Battaglino’s passionate tirades during games are personal. That’s just the way he coaches.

‘You can’t hear me when I yell because my voice doesn’t carry,’ Miller said. ‘His voice carries. We need that on our coaching staff.’

Battaglino joins SU (5-2, 1-1 Big East) after nine years as the girls head coach at Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar. When he arrived in 1996, Bethlehem had lost 60 consecutive games. By the time he left in 2004, it won four New York State Regional Championships and made a trip to the state finals.

In addition, he was named High School Coach of the Year six times by United States Lacrosse.

While he works with every position on the team, he focuses on the offense. The loss of SU’s all-time leading scorer, Leigh-Ann Zimmer, left a huge hole in the offense and questions as to who would fill it.. Without a scorer like Zimmer, Battaglino and Miller worked toward establishing a balanced attack.

‘I’m looking for six to seven kids scoring per game,’ Battaglino said. ‘When you do that, it’s hard to shut anybody down.’

This season, the Orange is 4-0 when at least six players score.

‘I really feel like they’re buying into the system of quicker passes.’ Battaglino said. ‘They’re making reads. I don’t want them to be slaves of the play.’

SU is making good reads, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. Battaglino said the most surprising aspect of college lacrosse is the lack of fundamentals that he believes should be mastered in high school. He was speaking primarily about SU’s opponents.

Of course, Battaglino said his players are well trained. Two of the 12 players on the Preseason All-Big East list were Bethlehem graduates: Boston College seniors Suzie Breaznell and Carley St. Lucia.

In fact, he’s making sure at least one new Orange player next year won’t need basic coaching. Battaglino coached SU recruit Katie Rowan at Bethlehem for four years, including eighth grade, during which she played varsity.

Unlike most of the women on this year’s roster, Rowan will enter with experience of playing for an ardent male coach.

‘Sometimes with girls, they perceive things to be personal,’ Miller said. ‘I don’t think guys function that way.’

‘It’s not personal,’ Miller said of Battaglino’s approach. ‘His expectations are really high. He’s a perfectionist.’

Battaglino has no children, but said he treats his players like he would treat his daughters. As with any children, sometimes tough love is appropriate.

‘I like to think that I get everything out of a kid,’ Battaglino said. ‘That’s what I was noted for.’

Published on March 29, 2005 at 12:00 pm