UPDATED: Oct. 10, 2011, 1:31 p.m.

Stephanie Hussey jumped with fists clenched at her sides, head arched upward, and let out an incoherent exclamation to celebrate.

The display of raw emotion came after Hussey scored her first collegiate goal to give Syracuse a commanding three-goal lead over Columbia.

And it’s an image that SU head coach Ange Bradley won’t soon forget.

‘I did enjoy her celebration quite a bit, and I hope I have it on video,’ Bradley said. ‘I have it in my mind, and Stephanie always is an enthusiastic person, so to see her celebration is fresh in my head.’

Hussey was one of four freshmen who played for No. 5 Syracuse (11-2, 3-0 Big East) in its 3-0 victory over Columbia (4-6, 2-1 Ivy League) on Sunday in front of 282 people at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The Orange earned its eighth consecutive victory behind its mix of youth and skilled veterans. The combination controlled possession and the pace of the game, outshooting the Lions 40-3 and earning 16 penalty corners, compared to two for CU.

The veteran playmakers got things started for SU, which came out firing from the opening whistle.

Junior forward Kelsey Millman cleaned up a loose ball in the shooting circle just 44 seconds into regulation to put the Orange on top.

Senior forward Heather Susek added to SU’s lead just over 10 minutes later with a hard-fought goal.

Susek jockeyed for position in front of the net as Millman dribbled out of trouble in the right corner. As she broke free from two defenders, Millman found senior midfielder Martina Loncarica just inside the shooting circle. Loncarica then forced the ball through another Lions back to find Susek in prime position to score, pushing the Orange’s lead to 2-0.

‘It was really good to come out together as a team and then get off early,’ Millman said. ‘Have a good start, have a fast start and have it quick.’

And the freshmen took it from there.

Goalkeeper Sophia Openshaw made her first career start for the Orange, while freshman midfielder Jordan Page was also on the field to start the game.

All four freshmen made contributions, but Hussey’s goal was the nail in Columbia’s coffin.

After two failed corner opportunities just before the midway point of the second half, Hussey set up on the baseline and prepared to pass the ball. The play was intended for Liz McInerney, but as the shot attempt came off her stick, the low liner veered left off its target.

Hussey had just stepped onto the field of play when McInerney shot. Then everything slowed down for Hussey, who knocked the ball into the net for the goal.

‘It came straight at me, and I don’t know why I kind of saw it in slow motion, but the ball was coming straight off Liz and I just swept it right in,’ Hussey said. ‘I heard it bounce twice off the board, and I just celebrated with everything coming behind it.’

That excitement was shared by her fellow freshmen throughout the game.

For Openshaw, the game marked multiple milestones. Not only was it her first career start, but it was also her first game action this season. And she recorded the shutout.

Though the Lions managed just three shots, one of which tested Openshaw, she was happy to walk off the field with her first collegiate win.

‘I only really had one save opportunity, but I think I did well,’ Openshaw said. ‘I feel like I communicated and stayed mentally in the game.’

That one challenge came in the fifth minute in the form of a soft ground ball that Openshaw calmly kicked away.

Openshaw earned the starting job from junior Leann Stiver in practice, Bradley said. She and the other freshmen proved Sunday that they can perform in game action and can be relied on as part of SU’s regular rotation.

Senior Nicole Nelson has seen firsthand how the freshmen have integrated themselves into the current group of veterans. And that was clear on Sunday as the young players and veterans combined to lead the Orange to another victory.

‘A lot of working as hard as you can (in practice) to show that when you’re in there you’ll be fine even though you maybe haven’t had as much experience,’ Nelson said. ‘They just know that they have to work a little bit harder, and they do.’

sebail01@syr.edu

Published on October 9, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1