Paul Flanagan worries about his defense heading into every year. Before this season got underway, his concerns about Syracuse’s back line were no different.

And while it remains an early season concern, it isn’t the problem the SU head coach feared it might be. Flanagan has gotten better results from a young unit than he originally thought. But after giving up six goals in two games last weekend, it’s an aspect of the game SU will have to steadily improve on.

‘The big thing is our end zone coverage,’ Flanagan said. ‘Whether you’re talking to me or Doug Marrone or Ian McIntyre, you’re always worried about how you play defensively and keep the ball or puck out of the net.’

During the weekend, Syracuse (2-2) finished with a two-game split to keep its record at .500, rebounding with a win after losing 5-2 to Northeastern. But even in SU’s 2-1 victory over New Hampshire, Flanagan said he thought the team — in particular the defense — caught a few lucky breaks. Syracuse will look to correct its mistakes and hope for the same luck as SU has its first home game of the season Friday at Tennity Ice Pavilion against Clarkson (1-1-2) at 7 p.m.

The Orange then travels to Clarkson the very next day and plays the Golden Knights at their home Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

During the weekend, Flanagan saw several shots narrowly miss going in the net. A few even clanked off the post.

And for a core group of eight defensemen, which includes two freshmen receiving major minutes, there will be times when the unit has to be lucky rather than good. Flanagan acknowledges there’s a learning curve for the defense as the season progresses.

One thing Flanagan has picked up is his defense needs to get more durable game in and game out. The toughest aspect, he said, is hanging in there late after they’ve already played a grueling match.

SU senior forward Megan Skelly said that consistency will be key for Syracuse early in the season.

‘Last year, couple games, even the final game, we’re playing really good one period and then come out the next and be like we have a lead and kind of hang back,’ Skelly said. ‘I think that the consistency from period to period and the intensity from period to period. If we can maintain, we should be winning games.’

Senior defender Taylor Metcalfe said the pace of the game is something her freshmen teammates, like defenders Kaillie Goodnough and Jordyn Burns, will have to adjust to. The speed on the ice is just a bit quicker than back in high school.

‘It’s just that half-step,’ Metcalfe said. ‘It’s like a half-step faster here. Everything has to be that much faster.’

Metcalfe said she thinks the style of defense Syracuse plays can help bridge the experience gap. The Orange’s system is man-to-man, a defensive strategy that Metcalfe said is easier to pick up on than if the Syracuse played zone.

One thing both Flanagan and Metcalfe agree on is that confidence is the key. And as the games start to pile up, a mix of six freshmen and sophomores need to have conviction when they’re on the ice. That should come with time.

‘I think that the big thing is that they get that confidence after a few weeks of making good decisions and making good plays,’ Flanagan said.

Flanagan said that being on the road has done some good for the team. Distractions are limited when the Orange is either sequestered away on the bus or hotel or in the rink.

Now playing in front of the home crowd, SU has more to concentrate on than simply guarding the net.

‘We have to guard against the distraction of parents coming and some of the younger players and their friends coming to the games,’ Flanagan said. ‘Just make sure they’re aware of that and really focus on the home games.’

The defense, specifically, needs to have focus. Flanagan admits it’s the toughest facet of the game to narrow down at the start of any season. But like he said, defense hasn’t been where he expected it to be. It’s been better.

Said Flanagan: ‘I feel that maybe what could have potentially been a liability early on is proven to be something we’re very pleased with.’

dgproppe@syr.edu

 

Published on October 12, 2011 at 12:00 pm