Every week, Syracuse builds a specific defensive scheme based on the upcoming opponent. Against Cornell, SU was able to lean on a familiar aggressive strategy to neutralize the Big Red attack.

“We definitely did a lot of midfield traps and got them above the 50, so they weren’t really able to penetrate,” midfielder Emma Lamison said. “We worked a lot on our press this week, going down the sidelines and getting a quick counter.”

Syracuse’s stingy first-half defense allowed the No. 2 Orange (11-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast) to maintain a one-goal halftime lead in an eventual 9-1 blowout of Cornell (5-4, 1-1 Ivy) on Sunday afternoon at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The Big Red had only five shots, and its only goal came off a rebound from a penalty corner.

SU’s game plan focused on trapping Cornell’s ball handlers. The Orange midfielders guided the Big Red down the sideline, limiting Cornell to two options: pass to a teammate in midfield or try to navigate to the cage from the corner.

If Cornell tried to pass it inside, Syracuse midfielders were ready to intercept the ball. If Cornell dribbled to the corner, Syracuse defenders trapped the ball handler from the outside before she could get close to the cage.

“We analyze them before the game,” Syracuse midfielder Roos Weers said “…and then we make the decision to play a specific kind of pressure.”

The extensive planning is key to the Orange’s success on defense. Syracuse entered the Sunday’s game against Cornell ranked third in the country in goals against per game (0.87) and second in scoring margin (2.83).

SU owes much of its success to aggressiveness and swarming around the ball. Syracuse’s forwards were combative in chasing the ball, breaking up passes and transitioning to offense on the fly.

“(Our defenders have) the mindset of intercepting, wanting the ball first and being the first person to the ball before anything else,” forward Serra Degnan said.

The Orange didn’t allow a shot until the final two minutes of the first half. At that point, Syracuse led, 2-0. SU’s counterattack staved off Cornell well enough in the opening 35 minutes to keep the Orange ahead before opening up the game with seven second-half goals.

Despite the big win, Bradley still sees areas for defensive growth.

“(Our defense) wasn’t as tight as I’d like it to be,”Bradley said. “…and that’s an area that we have to continue to grow.”

Published on October 4, 2015 at 7:19 pm

Contact Chris: cfthomse@syr.edu