OBSERVER File Photo Silver Creek’s Chase Scanlan (7) is shown during a game in his time as a member of the Black Knights varsity lacrosse team. Scanlan recently announced his commitment to transfer to Syracuse next season and is set to wear the famous No. 22 jersey with the Orange.

Former Silver Creek Black Knights lacrosse star Chase Scanlan has found his way back to New York, as he has committed to play at Syracuse University for his sophomore season.

Scanlan announced his transfer from the Loyola Greyhounds a couple weeks ago and made his decision to transfer to Syracuse official earlier this week. Scanlan was named a Second-Team All-American at Loyola, scoring 43 goals and 58 points in his freshman year.

Scanlan attended Silver Creek up until his sophomore season in 2016, where he moved to Florida to play at IMG Academy.

Scanlan has always been an incredible lacrosse talent, as he was the starting goalie for Silver Creek in just seventh grade.

“We were a little nervous to put him out there because of his size,” said Silver Creek lacrosse coach Rob Genco, who coached Scanlan during his tenure as a Black Knight. “But we made him our goalie and he was the best goalie we had.”

The funny part is, Scanlan had never played goalie before. But Scanlan, according to Genco, was pretty far ahead of his time.

“When he was in seventh grade, it was like he was a junior. He’s a lot older than his chronological age,” said Genco.

Described by his coach as outspoken, energetic, outgoing, and “very intelligent,” Scanlan has all the tools to be successful at the D-1 level. Genco in his tenure has had several great players come through his program, and Scanlan is near the top of the list.

Despite his outstanding freshman year at Loyola, and his good relationship with his coaches, new Loyola wasn’t the right fit for him. Scanlan took every factor into his search for a new school — his teammates, scheme, and of course grades, and Genco knew that Scanlan’s intelligence would lead him to the right spot.

Genco described Scanlan’s play style as unorthodox, which makes him a bit of a nightmare on opposing defenses.

“He’s not as fundamentally sound as most midfielders, but that makes him a hard player to guard. For his size, he is uncharacteristically strong. He is a true scorer,” said Genco.

While Scanlan was leaning toward Virginia, he ended up on Syracuse for a couple reasons, one of them being a full ride from Syracuse’s Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship for Native Americans, which takes care of his tuition, meals, housing, and other mandatory fees.

Another reason Scanlan might have went to Syracuse is because they’re giving him the number 22 — a number for the Orange that has typically been reserved for their best player. It is sort of a hallowed tradition for Syracuse, but it’s a number that fits Scanlan perfectly.

“That’s just who he is,” said Genco.

Although this area isn’t necessarily the “Mecca of lacrosse,” Western New York certainly has produced some solid lacrosse players, which goes a long way in giving a small community a little bit of motivation.

“This isn’t Boston, Maryland or the Island. If you look at most big college teams, most of the players are from one of those places. Guys like Scanlan give kids around here a little hope that they might be able to achieve their dreams,” Genco said.

Genco and Scanlan still keep touch, with Scanlan even calling and offering to help teach Genco’s nine year old son lacrosse this summer. Genco is proud of his former star, and knows Scanlan has great things in store. As for his ceiling, Genco thinks pretty highly of Scanlan.

In reference to the Tewaaraton Award, which is given to the nation’s most standout men’s and women’s collegiate lacrosse players, Genco said “I don’t see him not winning that award in his future.” For Scanlan, that award may only be a stepping stone to greater things to come.