Freshman Erin Simon headed a pass to senior Alyscha Mottershead, who redirected the ball past the diving goalkeeper. Senior Rosina Callisto booted a kick from beyond the 18-yard box for Syracuse’s second goal. Sophomore Alexis Koval screened the goalkeeper on the third goal, scored by freshman Jackie Firenze.

Despite the drama in the Orange’s 3-2 victory over Connecticut on Sept. 13, the biggest win in program history, how the team scored means less than who played roles in earning the goals. Players from each grade level came together in a balanced attack, a prevalent theme throughout the season.

The depth of Syracuse’s roster shows how far the program has come since head coach Phil Wheddon’s arrival in 2008. Wheddon brought the team from mediocrity to respectability to, eventually, being feared by Big East rivals.

This season the team has taken its play to an entirely new level. A balanced scoring attack and an incredible defense have the Orange one win away from a Big East tournament bid. Syracuse (7-2-1, 4-1-1 Big East) sits at second in the Big East’s American division.

“We’re just a totally different team,” junior defender Jackie Moriarty said. “We have so many of the same players, but I think the chemistry and energy is so much better, and I feel that we’re not even peaking yet.”

Each game, the Orange seems to do something for the first time or break another school record. SU’s win over Connecticut was its first in 17 tries. The Orange has nine different goal scorers, including six who have scored their first career goals. Two of its top five point getters were not on the team last year.

Senior Jenna Rickan sees the change. As a freshman in 2009 she was tied for second on the team in points with two. This season 10 players have at least two points, and six players have at least five.

“It’s finally coming together,” Rickan said.

Syracuse had a pivotal year in 2010. Wheddon added Mottershead, a trio of defenders in Moriarty, Kayla Alfonso and Rachel Blum, and goalkeeper Brittany Anghel. Anghel started from day one and has become one of the best keepers in SU history.

“Rachel, Jackie, Kayla and Brittany have been fantastic,” Wheddon said. “Especially this year, they’re playing the best I’ve seen them play.”

In 2011, the team had its best season under Wheddon, earning its first trip to the Big East tournament. Syracuse product Koval joined the team, but sat out the year with a torn hip flexor. She’s now the team’s third leading scorer. Hanna Strong also joined in 2011. This year, she has two goals and an assist and, during one three-game stretch, was the team’s best player.

Wheddon has arguably his best recruiting class this season. He brought in two-time NSCAA All-American and Baldwinsville, N.Y., product Firenze along with Simon, Taylor Haenlin and Maya Pitts.

A true sign of resurgence is that now the program has built a pipeline. After this season, the team will lose Mottershead, Rickan, Callisto and stalwart defender Skylar Sabbag. Strong, Pitts and Haenlin will step in.

Wheddon talked about how moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference has helped the program attract recruits from all over the United States, and even internationally. Many will arrive as early as next season.

“We still have even more potential,” Koval said. “But we’re at such a farther point than we were last year.”

Wheddon knows it takes a while to build a contender. It’s taken four years, but the team seems to have turned the corner.

“Now, for the first time, we’re talking about the postseason ahead of time,” Wheddon said,“which is a nice conversation to have.”

Published on October 3, 2012 at 1:37 am

Contact Josh: jmhyber@syr.edu