Nicky Galasso needed out of North Carolina.

He was as talented as any college lacrosse player from the moment he took the field as a freshman. He won Atlantic Coast Conference freshman of the year and broke the Tar Heels’ freshman records for single-season points and assists.

But the historical start to Galasso’s career was derailed by a broken fifth metatarsal in his foot going into his sophomore year. UNC was forced to try and replace his production, and Galasso quickly felt “pushed away” by a younger core of players.

“You have to do what’s best for the team,” Galasso said of his reduced role. “If I’m not performing the right way, then I guess that’s what happens.”

Galasso transferred to Syracuse as a junior before the 2013 season and was sidelined for all of it after breaking his other fifth metatarsal before the season. He then broke the hamate bone in his right hand and was forced to use a specially designed glove that threw off his shot.

Now entering his third season with the Orange, the injury hurdles have been leapt over. The fifth-year senior is finally healthy and has become a premier offensive threat for No. 1 Syracuse (7-0, 2-0 ACC). Though he played attack for almost his entire life, the senior midfielder has found his niche this season for SU and operates essentially as its fourth attack.

Just seven games in, he’s already equaled his 13 goals from a year ago and has the highest shooting percentage on the team among starters. SU head coach John Desko understands the trepidation Galasso could have this season given his injury history, but he’s seen the senior play as freely as he ever has.

“You’re coming off surgery in the summer time and wondering about your feet,” Desko said. “Now I think he hasn’t had to worry about that for a year or so, and he’s been able to play with it and run hard.”

An elite player from his youngest days as a lacrosse player, expectations were always lofty. From becoming the first eighth-grader to play on the West Islip (New York) varsity team, being the No. 1 high school lacrosse recruit in the country, to now starting at midfield for the top-ranked college team in the country.

Galasso hadn’t reached a level of lacrosse where he didn’t excel. But it was his injuries and months of rehab following his freshman season that forced him into unchartered territory.

For the first time, there was a precedent he could not meet.

“I think everybody expected a first-year, first-team All-American in college,” said Sal Galasso, his oldest of four brothers. “And even just getting second team was just like, ‘Really?’

“I think he mentally just pushed through and had times where he doubted if he’d ever be able to play again.”

Learning right before his first season at SU that he’d have to endure the same rehab process all over again, Galasso broke down in the trainer’s office.

He spent the next four to five months on a hand bike in the training room repeating the routine from the year before — alternating riding forward for a minute, back for the next, for 20 minutes.

Galasso spent practices on the sidelines and became accustomed to Syracuse’s offensive schemes just by watching and visiting with the coaches.

A preseason conversation last year with SU assistant coach Kevin Donahue changed Galasso’s perception of who he can be on the field, and Donahue’s hopes have come to fruition this season as the Orange is off to a perfect start.

Donahue told Galasso that he’s one of the best ball-handlers for Syracuse, and it was hurting the team to have him on the sidelines as a fourth-attack substitution with the starting trio of Kevin Rice, Randy Staats and Dylan Donahue rarely subbing out.

The answer was a transition to midfield, meaning “two-step Nicky” — an old nickname from his brothers for cherry-picking goals as an attack while taking just two steps and shooting — would have to prove himself as a mobile player.

“I just accepted it for what it was,” Galasso said. “I missed so much lacrosse the last three years because of injuries, there’s nothing that I won’t do to make the team better.”

Over the years, Sal Galasso has seen most of his younger brother’s points come in transition as an attack. Galasso doesn’t see many transition chances now as a midfielder, and he’s had to learn how to succeed as a six-on-six, man-to-man player.

Despite the resilience Galasso has shown in overcoming injuries and slotting into a new position, Sal Galasso thinks his brother is still trying to verify to himself that he can be the elite player he was before.

“I’m sure any person would start to say, ‘Wow, how good am I still?’” Sal Galasso said. “And I think he’s got something to prove to himself.”

In a 5-5 game against Johns Hopkins on March 14, Galasso dodged from behind the Blue Jays’ net. He sprinted in four steps before coming to a stop.

He faked hard on his surgically-repaired left foot before going to his surgically-repaired right foot, as JHU defender Phil Castronova fell on the back of the net and Galasso coasted around to fire in the go-ahead goal.

Galasso has no injuries to hide or young crop of players to worry about taking his spot, and his play this season reflects it.

“I have more confidence now,” Galasso said. “I have the energy and especially with it being my last year and my last chance to get the national championship, a little injury or a nagging injury is going to be the last thing I worry about.”

Published on March 24, 2015 at 12:20 am

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