Gary Gait’s first attempt failed.

Frontloading his team’s schedule last season, the Syracuse head coach hoped to prepare the Orange, which entered 2011 ranked No. 5 in the nation, for a deep postseason run. But Syracuse stumbled through the early part of its slate. It lost five of its first seven games and eventually failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

This season, Gait tried it again. This time it worked.

‘We’re more athletic. We’re deeper,’ Gait said. ‘I think we have players that fit in our system from top to bottom, and I think that’s a big difference.’

The Orange (4-2) has pushed through the daunting schedule to a remarkable start and the No. 2 ranking in the nation. After entering the season slotted No. 12 in the preseason poll, Syracuse has averaged 13.2 goals per game, defeated two top-five opponents and took national powerhouse No. 1 Northwestern into overtime.

And SU has done that despite losing All-American goaltender Liz Hogan and leading goal-scorer Tee Ladouceur to graduation.

‘Last year we tried numerous times finding the right mix of players that could finish games,’ Gait said. ‘We kept trying different people throughout the entire season, and this year we had a group with some subs that we knew were going to be the contributors right from fall ball on.’

Senior defender Janelle Stegeland sees the same fluency. But she also sees a new approach – one that every member of the 2012 Orange is buying into.

She said the team is focused solely on each game rather than looking at the big picture, a common occurrence last season.

‘This year we really have gone in with the mindset that against those teams, we have nothing to lose,’ Stegeland said. ‘We weren’t expected to win those games, so I think going into them we all came in together with a ton of energy – more energy than we’ve ever had.’

The Orange showcased that energy in its season-opening 23-12 victory over then-No. 8 Boston College. Sophomore Alyssa Murray led the scoring attack, setting a program record with eight goals.
But the Orange has won close contests, too. Two of its four victories have come by one goal. Even in losses, the team has fought hard until the final whistle.

Trailing the top-ranked Wildcats 9-8 with less than a minute left in regulation, junior attack Michelle Tumolo wrapped around the net and launched the game-tying goal. It completed a three-score comeback in the final five minutes.

‘I think that’s what we lacked last year. We were a one-half team,’ Tumolo said. ‘This year we’re a whole-game team. Coming out strong, we’ve been beating teams 6-2 in halves and then continuing it in the second half.’

And Syracuse has carried that energy into overtime, too. SU defeated No. 4 Florida in double overtime March 3 and followed up with a 10-9 victory over No. 5 Maryland a week later.

While Tumolo has led the charge offensively – pacing the team with 15 goals and 12 assists – the junior attack said the Orange’s success can be attributed to superb play from a slew of contributors.

Seven players have scored at least five times. Freshman Kailah Kempney, one of those seven, leads the team with 20 draw controls. And between the pipes, sophomore Alyssa Costantino and freshman Kelsey Richardson have played well despite entering the season inexperienced.

Costantino has started every game and allows less than 10 goals per game, but Richardson has made the most of her opportunities as well.

Playing the second half against Towson on March 13, she allowed only three goals while making eight saves.

‘Even in practice, they’re stuffing us left and right,’ Tumolo said.

This year, Syracuse is a legitimate contender for the national championship.

The Orange passed its early-season tests and is no longer an underdog. The SU players know their remarkable performance has placed a target squarely on their backs, and they will likely be favored in every game for the rest of their regular season.

But Tumolo said there will be no let-up in intensity. The team’s goals are far loftier than a quick start and national recognition.

‘Coming in we didn’t have anything to lose,’ Tumolo said. ‘Now that we’ve beaten them, we’ve got a lot to lose.

‘… Every game is a big game, no matter who we play, ranked or not. We’re just going into each game knowing that we’re a huge component and everyone’s out to get us.’

sebail01@syr.edu

Published on March 19, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1