Syracuse, N.Y. -- Scrimmages like the two that the Syracuse University lacrosse team hosted Sunday can count for nothing yet at the same time mean the world to players like Orange defender Nick Mellen.
That's because it's been quite awhile since the red-shirt sophomore out of West Genesee has played meaningful lacrosse against a serious foe. After an impact season as a freshman with the Orange in 2016, two major surgeries cost Mellen all of 2017. And just when he was ready to roar back in fall ball, the Orange's schedule was cut short by an outbreak of mumps on campus.