The transition to a Division-I soccer program at Syracuse has not been an arduous task for Lauren Cappelli.

The first-year defender is one of three freshmen to start every game for the rebuilding women’s soccer program. Cappelli notched her first collegiate point, an assist Sept. 23’s 1-1 tie with West Virginia. But make no mistake, Cappelli’s most important contribution is her emergence as an integral part of a defense that has allowed 1.22 goals per game. Cappelli will need to continue to play strong defense when Syracuse takes on Villanova at S.U. Soccer Stadium tomorrow night at 7.

When recruiting Cappelli, head coach Patrick Farmer admitted her experience stood out from other potential recruits.

‘She comes from a club that expects to win,’ Farmer said. ‘It wasn’t a big jump for her to step in, for some of the kids it’s a whole different level and speed.’

After playing on the 2004 New York State Champion St. Anthony’s High School team and the Albertson Express club team which reached regional competition, Cappelli is no stranger to winning.

‘It gives you a winning mentality,’ Cappelli said. ‘I’ve been on a lot of winning teams.’

Soccer has been a part of Cappelli’s life since she was 4 years old, but she chose Syracuse because it offered her a fresh challenge. As part of St. Anthony’s, a perennial high school powerhouse, and the Express club team, Cappelli was not accustomed to the state of the Syracuse program.

‘I was told the program was getting rebuilt and that it’s a young team,’ she said. ‘It feels really good to start for a Division I school. I like the atmosphere, I love being able to meet new people.’

Adjusting to D-I soccer may have created a few difficulties, but Cappelli says that senior captain Jenna Richter has helped a lot during the transition to college life.

‘She’s very outgoing, as a freshman she’s not quiet or tentative,’ Richter said. ‘We seem to have a lot in common, we do lunches. She’s doing this all in her freshman year and she’s only going to get better from here.’

Part of the allure that impressed Farmer early on was the unique profile that Cappelli fits. As a true left-footed attacking left defender she fills a need in an unconventional way.

‘Not too many people manage to get left-footed attacking left defenders,’ Farmer said. ‘For the system we’d like to build over the next few years I think she’s a prime ingredient.’

The thing that Farmer was most moved by was the composure that Cappelli consistently brings to the field. While he looks for players to go above and beyond to make an impact on the team, he admires the fact that Cappelli knows her abilities and plays the game in a manner that best suits herself.

‘I think that she’s not easily rattled,’ Farmer said. ‘On the field she’s pretty calm, she has a good understanding of what she can do. A lot of kids think they can do a lot more different things, but she does the same things over and over very well.’

Farmer especially praised her performance in the Orange’s Big East opener at St. John’s as a key event in Cappelli’s progression as a defender. Back in a familiar setting – Cappelli is a native of Old Bethpage about 15 minutes from campus – she was a significant defensive presence with numerous interceptions and crucial blocks.

Farmer foresees a bright future for Cappelli at the rate she’s headed right now.

‘She’s into it, she’s competitive and I like everything she does back there on defense,’ he said. ‘I think if she gets a little physically stronger upper body-wise she will hold her own against almost anybody in the Big East.

‘Unless she discovers beer, pizza and ice cream or something, I think she’s a staple for four years.’

Published on September 28, 2005 at 12:00 pm