Men's Lacrosse

Syracuse All-ACC faceoff specialist Ben Williams ruled out against Army

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Ben Williams is 29-for-42 at the X this season.

Senior faceoff specialist Ben Williams has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against Army, Syracuse Athletics announced 40 minutes prior to the noon game time.

The 5-foot-11, 192-pounder is 29-for-42 at the X this season. Williams, a Preseason All-ACC honoree and two-time Tewaaraton Award Nominee, scored once in the 19-6 season-opening rout of Siena. Redshirt senior Cal Paduda will look to take over at the X in Williams’ absence. Freshman Dan Varello should take some faceoffs as well.

Williams’ absence gives the unranked Black Knights the upper hand in the faceoff department. Army senior faceoff man Dan Grabher, who’s scored two goals, is one of the best faceoff players in the country. In last year’s SU-Army matchup, Grabher went 2-for-8 at the X. Williams dominated, going 13-for-19.

Grabher is is 35-of-54 in his third season at the X.

“He’s a real threat offensively,” Army head coach Joe Alberici said this week. “He hasn’t had great success against Williams. We hope to change that tide.”







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