FOXBOROUGH, Mass. --- Three things third-seeded Syracuse (15-2) would be wise to do in tomorrow's national final against Johns Hopkins:

* Create offense from everywhere. Johns Hopkins has demonstrated it can take a top player or two out of the flow of an offense. The Blue Jays were downright giddy to hold Matt Danowski and Zack Greer to a combined three goals and four assists, as well they should be. But Syracuse possesses far more options in the midfield than Duke --- Dan Hardy, Steven Brooks, Brendan Loftus, Matt Abbott, Pat Perritt. Those guys need to be in the mix, and the more they're heard from, the better off the 'Cuse will be.

* Win faceoffs cleanly. The Orange are accustomed to winning draws at a good clip, and Danny Brennan won nearly every faceoff against Virginia on which he wasn't called for a procedure violation. Stephen Peyser will be a much more difficult matchup, and the rotation of guys on the wings Hopkins can toss up are just as imposing. Sheer possessions will be more meaningful against a Hopkins team content to play a "first-to-10 goals, wins" style of play.

* Be wary of the attack. First of all, one of the most impressive performances from Saturday came from Syracuse defenseman Sid Smith, who did a superb job on Virginia's Ben Rubeor. The quiet day from the Cavaliers' star was far more the product of Smith's play than a bad day. However, the Hopkins attack has quietly improved throughout the season. Kevin Huntley is the reliable anchor, but Steven Boyle and Michael Doneger must be watched; those two could be the difference-makers for the Hop.

--- Patrick Stevens