SYRACUSE ATHLETICS PHOTO | Rocky Point grad Tom Palasek has seen an increased role on attack with Syracuse.

Tom Palasek, the Long Island boys lacrosse Player of the Year in 2008 for Rocky Point, has started the last three games on attack for fourth-ranked Syracuse.

A knee injury to attackman Tim Desko opened a spot on attack and Palasek, a junior, got the call. His first start of the year came April 12 in what was the first loss for the Orange this season, an 11-6 defeat to No. 5 Cornell. Syracuse had been ranked No. 1 in the nation going into the game.

Palasek is seventh on the team in points with nine goals and nine assists. Since joining the starting lineup Palasek has scored four goals with two assists.

After falling to Cornell, Syracuse came back to beat Providence Saturday and Hobart Tuesday to improve its record to 11-1. The Orange have three games left in the regular season before beginning the postseason.

Palasek is in his first year with Syracuse after transferring from Johns Hopkins. He was granted a release from Hopkins, which allowed him to play this year without having to sit out a season as transfers can be forced to do.

Syracuse played Hopkins earlier this season and the Orange won a defensive battle, 5-4, in double overtime. Palasek had two assists in the victory.

Hopkins is now ranked No. 2 in the nation, so the two teams could very well meet again when the stakes are much higher.

Notre Dame is the current No. 1 team and Cornell is No. 3.

As a sophomore last year for Hopkins Palasek was fourth on the team in scoring with 13 goals and seven assists.

In leading Rocky Point to the school’s first state championship in 2008, Palasek scored 50 goals with 92 assists. His 181 career goals and 217 assists are both school records.

In addition to his success in lacrosse, Palasek was a standout football and basketball player at Rocky Point.