Around this time last year, Kenny Nims was packing his belongings and leaving Syracuse University a little earlier than expected.

Nims agreed last week that it was the most disappointing departure he and his Orange lacrosse teammates could've endured. SU didn't participate in the NCAA tournament for the first time in 25 years, and the burden was heavier than hauling a dorm room couch home for the summer.

But the Orange re-established its purpose of winning national championships again this spring. After capturing 10 of its last 11 games to close the regular season, Syracuse (12-2) begins its run at an NCAA record 10th national title tonight. The third-seeded Orange faces Canisius (10-5) in a first-round matchup at 7:30 p.m. in Syracuse. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

"Last year, it was awful being home at this time of year," said Nims, a starting junior attacker for SU. "It was tough on us, and we certainly didn't want to experience that again."

SU senior midfielder Brendan Loftus said the early-season tests shaped the team's championship aspirations for the year. The Orange played three straight overtime games in March, and they won two of those against Georgetown and Johns Hopkins. The lone loss came on a neutral field to Virginia, which is ranked second overall in the tournament.

"We had to prove to ourselves, go out and win some close games," said Loftus, an Immaculate Heart Central graduate. "We talked about having a swagger, but we played relaxed."

Playing at ease has allowed Syracuse to steamroll the competition over the last month, although Colgate caught the Orange off guard in a 12-11 upset win last week. Losing the faceoff battle to the Raiders wasn't the only glaring problem. Nims said poor shot selection and sloppy possessions also led to the defeat.

"I think we just didn't come ready to play," Nims said. "They played a great game and took us out of ours."

SU spent the week preparing for a team it's never faced. Canisius is making its first appearance in the tournament after winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament championship on Sunday. The Golden Griffins won a school-record 10 games behind a deceptively athletic offense and the stellar goaltending of senior Chris Courteau.

But Nims said Orange coach John Desko led a diligent week of practice, and everyone is treating today's matchup like a national title game. After missing the tournament altogether a year ago, you can understand their sense of urgency.

"He's doing the best to get the most out of us," Nims said. "He knows we have something special going on."

BRENNAN EXPECTED TO PLAY

The return of senior face-off specialist Danny Brennan would be a welcomed sight for the Orange.

Brennan suffered a pulled muscle in his leg in the first quarter of a blowout win against Massachusetts more than two weeks ago. The injury kept him out of Syracuse's loss to Colgate in the regular-season finale. His absence was critical, as the Raiders won 17 of 25 faceoffs.

Nims said Brennan participated in practice this past week and looks "ready to go." Brennan leads the nation in faceoff win percentage (67.1).

BUSY DAY AT THE DOME

A lacrosse doubleheader won't be the only thing keeping the Carrier Dome staff busy today.

Syracuse University will hold its spring commencement at 9:30 a.m., and then immediately set up for the Orange women's lacrosse team's first-round matchup in the NCAA tournament. SU, which nabbed the fifth seed overall in the tournament, faces Towson University at 3:30 p.m.