Ange Bradley constantly reminds her team that the next game on the schedule is all that matters. Regardless of ranking or record, Jordan Page and Syracuse know they must stay focused solely on that game.

‘We’ll be taking care of every game one at a time,’ Page said. ‘And just like our coach (Bradley) says, every game is a special game because it’s the next game.’

That philosophy has worked well for Bradley’s team in Big East play as it hasn’t lost a regular-season game to a conference opponent since Oct. 18, 2008. The Orange (3-2, 0-0 Big East) has reeled off 14 consecutive regular-season conference victories since falling to then-No. 9 Connecticut. It has also earned at least a share of the conference title in each of the past three seasons.

SU will look to keep its streak of dominance going this season by maintaining the same focus on each game. If it does that, the Orange will be in good position to qualify for the Big East tournament. It’s a goal Bradley has stressed to her team early in the season.

Reaching the conference tournament is the first step for SU toward the NCAA tournament. In 2008, SU was eliminated in the NCAA semifinals. In 2009 and 2010, Bradley’s squad lost in the quarterfinals. Now, the Orange is hoping to capture its first-ever national title.

But to get there, Syracuse will need to keep its focus consistently throughout the season. A slipup against a Big East opponent could lead to a tougher draw in the conference tournament and a potential early end to the season.

Sophomore back Laura Hahnefeldt understands the importance of beating Big East opponents and how it affects the team’s ultimate aspirations.

‘Of course, it’s our first step to win it,’ Hahnefeldt said. ‘ … But it’s only a little step to reach our big goal.’

Louisville and UConn, who finished the 2010 campaign second and third in the conference, respectively, could make that little step bigger than expected.

The Cardinals (4-2) dropped out of the NFHCA Coaches Rankings this week but still pose a threat to the Orange’s title hopes. The No. 4 Huskies (5-0) have outscored their opponents 16-4 this season. Their list of victims already includes then-No. 8 Penn State, No. 16 Albany and then-No. 20 Stanford.

The Huskies will host the Orange on Oct. 23.

Four years ago, Syracuse couldn’t challenge UConn. But now, SU has joined the Huskies at the top of the conference. Connecticut and the Orange have met in each of the last three conference tournament championship games. And as a result, they have become rivals.

Though Bradley preaches to her players not to look ahead, she took the time to acknowledge the budding rivalry with UConn.

‘There was never really a rivalry between Syracuse and Connecticut because Syracuse was not a competitive opponent for Connecticut,’ Bradley said. ‘Over the last few years, we’ve started to earn the respect of the Connecticut program and show that we are a viable competitor.’

After the showdown against Connecticut, SU will face Villanova and Bucknell before the Big East tournament begins Nov. 4.

Eight days later, the NCAA tournament begins. With another season of Big East play under its belt, the Orange should be well prepared to chase after its ultimate goal of winning the NCAA tournament.

But Bradley knows the Orange is a long way from the final four. SU still has 14 games left on its schedule, and conference play doesn’t begin until Friday against Rutgers.

So right now, Syracuse is only focused on winning that next game on its schedule and getting a spot in the NCAA tournament in the process.

‘It’s about getting into the top four in the Big East, and when we do that, we have the ability to play for the championship in the Big East tournament and punch our ticket as champions to the NCAA tournament,’ Bradley said.

sebail01@syr.edu

Published on September 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1