By his ninth grade season, the lacrosse community was already starting to hear about Chase Scanlan. SU goalie Drake Porter remembered hearing his name growing up.

"I heard that there was this kid from Buffalo that could seriously play," said Porter. 

If you look at his old high school videos between Silver Creek High School and IMG Academy, it's no surprise he was getting looks at such a young age. He's dynamic, shifty, and clearly understands the game. He told me that he's been playing lacrosse since he could walk.

He grew up playing Box [lacrosse], looking up to guys like Lyle Thompson and his cousin Zed Williams. Scanlan has lived lacrosse all of his life, and by 2015, the Irving, NY native already committed to Syracuse. The only problem was, he made that decision a little too quickly.

"I just committed right away. So I decommitted and explored my options. I visited there (Loyola) and I liked the coaches. I went there during winter break so I didn't get to meet any of the guys or see the atmosphere. But I really liked the campus and the coaches," Scanlan said. 

By 2016, he tweeted out that he was decommitting from SU, and not long after that he decided to become a Greyhound. At Loyola, hed led the nation's midfielders with 43 goals, and led the team to the NCAA tournament where they beat SU in the first round. Despite all that success, something didn't feel right.

"In the beginning of the year I really felt like I was struggling to fit in. As time went on I felt like I didn't want to be here for the four years. I made that decision kind of after the season," Scanlan said. 

That decision was to enter the transfer portal. The first call he received? From SU coach John Desko.

"He called me and said the compliance called me and said your name is officially in the transfer portal. I wanted to reach out and see if you'd be interested in coming to Syracuse and I said sure."

To sweeten the deal, Chase was offered the coveted number 22. An SU staple that's been worn by the Powells and Gary Gait. Scanlan said he would've came to Cuse anyway, but being gifted that responsibility is very special.

"I view it as a number to respect and cherish," Scanlan said. "I want to work hard for my teammates and strive for that end goal which is a national championship." 

The newest number 22 had no issues settling in and fitting in on the hill. His teammates made him feel included immediately, and SU middie Jamie Trimboli said it was all about effort.

"He's a great kid and it took some time for the guys at Loyola to see that but we saw that right away. We love finding out about him because he's one of the nicest, coolest kids I've ever met," said Trimboli 

Chase says it just feels different being at SU, and he's thrilled to be a part of the program.

"Here it's like a brotherhood and you can feel it," Scanlan said. "It's like the chemistry and it doesn't get any better than that." 

Now that he's settled in, Scanlan says he can't wait to step out on the Dome turf and play in his first game on February 7.