Joe Alberici stood on the sideline of Michie Stadium, impressed by what he had just witnessed. His 23rd-ranked Army lacrosse team celebrated after having disposed of Virginia Military Institute 16-3 in the season opener on Feb. 16.

Twenty-four hours later, the Black Knights head coach sat in the Carrier Dome. Again he was impressed. This time, though, he didn't feel like celebrating.

“We watched (the Syracuse men's lacrosse team) play Villanova and take a 10-0 lead,” said Alberici of that Sunday afternoon game, which ended in a 21-6 Orange win. “We saw we have a lot of work ahead of us here.”

Facing the No. 11 Orange is a tough task by any standard. However, beating a ranked opponent in the Carrier Dome would be nothing new for Alberici. For the third time in his three years as Army head coach, Alberici's Black Knights will travel to play Syracuse. Game time is 3:30 p.m. at the Carrier Dome.

A year ago, Army took down the Orange - ranked No. 2 at the time - with an 8-6 victory, snapping a four-year losing streak to Syracuse. The win, which made Army the first team ever to beat Syracuse at home in February, served as revenge for a loss on Feb. 25, 2006, when the Orange handed the Black Knights an opening-day 14-10 loss in Alberici's Division-I coaching debut.

“It was a lot of elation, then disappointment after a hard-fought loss,” Alberici said, recalling the emotions from his first game. “But it's always nice to play in front of family and friends and supporters.”

Plenty of Army fans will be on hand for Sunday's game, and among them will be the Hansinger family. Adam Hansinger, a senior defender for the Black Knights, will suit up for the second time at the Dome. He saw limited playing time in his first two seasons with the team, but has developed an expanded role as a veteran.

“Adam had an outstanding year for us last year; he really stepped up,” Alberici said. “He had a good first couple years, but hadn't seen a lot of playing time. He's a versatile defender, and we feel very comfortable playing him against anyone.

“He's also become a very good leader. He comes ready to practice, and not only has himself prepared, he makes certain those around him are ready, too.”

All the Black Knights had better make sure they're ready for the Dome atmosphere.

Alberici, admitted he hasn't found a better setting in which to play lacrosse than the Carrier Dome, and he knows his players will be fired up. But that doesn't mean things will be easy for him. The Orange are known for their fan base, and that can cause problems for visiting teams.

“It's a little different from most venues because the ability to communicate becomes that much more difficult,” Alberici said. “There'll be 5,000-plus fans, and many sit right behind you. So hand signals and making sure guys are on the same page has been a point of emphasis this week.”

What Alberici hasn't emphasized are the rankings. He said the fact that his team entered the season in the Top 25 means very little at the start of the season. The Black Knights, who went 6-9 in Alberici's sophomore season at the helm, are more concerned with the end game.

“Preseason stuff is just that,” said Alberici, whose overall record is 15-16. “Where we start is of no consequence. What we're focusing on is the finish line. The team is very motivated, very excited to show other people the type of program we have. That's the lingering effect from last year. They're eager to show folks who we really are.”

This year's Army squad boasts a much more veteran lineup with 15 seniors on the roster. In addition, the freshmen are already contributing, namely Jeremy Boltus, of Baldwinsville. Boltus landed Rookie of the Week honors in the Patriot League with a goal and five assists in his collegiate debut.

It's not just their on-field actions that have captured the attention of audiences. On Jan. 27, the Black Knights welcomed more than 250 children from around the area to participate in a free lacrosse clinic at the Foley Center. The players and coaches intended to host one large session for children ages 8 to 18, but the overwhelming response forced two separate sessions.

“It's a situation that's win-win,” Alberici said. “The kids in the area get to be exposed to great young people in our cadets, as well as Division-I lacrosse players. It's a win for us because it's a pretty humbling thing. What it does is brings back to our guys a sense of responsibility of being here at West Point and being a member of Army lacrosse.”

Those who can't make it to the Dome Sunday can anticipate plenty more chances to see Army in action. Alberici prided himself on Army's tradition of “playing the best, to be the best,” which means the road to success will typically pass through Central New York.

“If I have any say,” Alberici said in response to if the Syracuse-Army game will remain an annual tradition. “Coach (John) Desko and I have a good relationship. We've talked about the future and plan on keeping the game.”

Alberici went on to say the one variable that could come into play is if Syracuse joins the Big East conference, which would dictate some of the Orange's schedule, and could mean a hiatus in the series.

For now, though, Alberici is worried about only one contest.

“We have a lot of work and effort to put in to make sure at faceoff we're great,” Alberici said. “There are too many things to take care of before we get there (to be excited).”

If his Black Knights can take care of things on Sunday, he'll be impressed again at the Carrier Dome. This time, he will feel like celebrating.