Replacing record-setting faceoff specialist Brady Dove was one of the primary challenges facing the Navy men’s lacrosse team this season.
That task became more difficult when head coach Rick Sowell learned that Joe Varello, the only experienced faceoff specialist on the roster, is not available.
Sowell confirmed on Monday that Varello has been suspended indefinitely from the lacrosse team by Naval Academy officials due to an undisclosed rules violation.
Varello did not play in Navy’s season opener on Sunday at Jacksonville and his absence played a major role in the outcome. The Midshipmen lost 19 of 22 faceoffs for the game and that enabled the host Dolphins to dominate possession en route to a 12-7 win.