The Syracuse women’s soccer team knew that if it sustained its momentum on defense, the Big East better watch out. But it also knew that if the offense matched the defense’s intensity, the conference leaders better get out of the way.

The Orangewomen defeated Seton Hall, 2-0, on Sunday in South Orange, N.J., where SU limited its Big East rival to four shots on goal.

Goalie Emily Kowalczyk recorded a complete-game shutout, making one save. It was the second straight shutout for SU.

‘We have some of the best defenders I’ve ever seen,’ senior Nina Scalzo said. ‘When I go to practice every day, I hate playing against them. They’re that good.’

For the first time this season, both the offense and defense clicked. Part of the dominant performance is due to the adjustment to the addition of four new players.

The Orangewomen (7-2-0, 1-0 Big East) were propelled by goals by junior Helen Fox and senior Anne-Marie Lapalme.

Senior captain Erica Mastrogiacomo won Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors for her effort against Seton Hall and Albany. She is the first SU player to receive conference player of the week honors since Tracy Stalker on Oct. 15, 2001.

‘Everyone is settled in,’ Mastrogiacomo said. ‘We’re gelled as a unit now.

‘Against Seton Hall, for the entire 90 minutes, everyone was on the same page; everyone was playing really well. For the whole 90 minutes, everyone was intense and really focused. We worked together and we got a great win out of it.’

Said Scalzo: ‘We didn’t have any lapses. We strung together 90 minutes that everybody was on their game. In other games, some people don’t show up and we have team lapses where we just let down.’

Despite the improved play, SU did not improve in the polls. The Orangewomen are still ranked No. 3 in the Northeast, according to Soccer Buzz magazine. Syracuse believes it can improve its standing by sustaining its all-around play.

‘Seeing that we can play well for 90 minutes is definitely a confidence booster, and we’re going to try to carry it in to Friday against Rutgers,’ Scalzo said.

After wins against Virginia Tech and Albany, the Orangewomen built upon the success and put together a great game against Seton Hall (2-6-1, 0-1).

‘It was one of the better games we’ve played all season,’ Kowalczyk said.

Scalzo tallied her fifth assist of the season on Fox’s goal. She is now one assist short of No. 5 on SU’s all-time list. Scalzo leads Syracuse with 17 points.

‘If we come off of a winning game, that helps build intensity,’ Mastrogiacomo said. ‘Our intensity comes from individual efforts being on the same page.’

Published on September 29, 2003 at 12:00 pm