Out of its 21 games this season, Syracuse has been outscored in the draw circle just four times.

But when the Orange played at Boston College on Feb. 26, it had to find other ways to win. Kailah Kempney struggled in the circle, as Syracuse corralled just 10-of-22 in an 11-9 win.

“They just kind of out-hustled us around the circle and got to the ball first,” SU head coach Gary Gait said. “I think we’ve developed our communication a little better with our circle players and our draw players.”

Now, No. 2-seed Syracuse (19-2, 6-1 Atlantic Coast) is making adjustments as Kempney and Co. prepare for a rematch against No. 6-seed Boston College (15-5, 3-4) in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals in the Carrier Dome on Saturday at 1 p.m. SU ranks second in the conference with 14.9 draws per game, just .5 ahead of the Eagles.

When Syracuse has won this year, it has usually been on the backs of its star players, Alyssa Murray and Kayla Treanor. The two Tewaaraton Award finalists have combined for 41 percent of the team’s scoring.

But much of the Orange’s success is rooted in the team’s ability to win in the draw circle, an aspect of the game that Syracuse has dominated this season.

“We always say, ‘Win the draw, win the game,’” Murray said.

Kempney and Kirkland Locey, who also sees significant time in the draw circle, watched tape the entire week of Syracuse’s first game against Boston College, and also other games BC has played since.

Both are trying to pick up on the tendencies of Mikaela Rix, who has taken the majority of the Eagles’ draws this season.

“It’s so we really are prepared with knowing so-and-so’s going to be in and she likes to do this, so we’re going to counter it by doing this,” Locey said. “We’re really just doing our homework on any possible situation and knowing how to react.”

Kempney said Rix is effective at grabbing the ball straight up, as well as her ability to play up and down the field, and on the draw circle. She scored three goals against Syracuse the last time they played, and collected two draws.

“For us, it’s all about going out and winning the draw and playing as a team on the draw,” Rix said. “I think that’s what kept it a close game.”

Although Syracuse lacked in its communication with the wings against Rix, that’s something the Orange has improved on throughout the course of the season.

Locey said Syracuse has succeeded virtually all year in the draw circle because of its play around the circle. She added that she and Kempney constantly communicate with their wings, usually Kelly Cross and Maddy Huegel, to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Locey said she has secret signals with her wings that help her direct them on the field.

“Nothing’s really pre-planned, just because it’s so situational,” she said. “It’s really spur-of-the-moment. Just quick communication. Head nods, whispers, stuff like that.”

But even though Kempney and Locey have thrived all season as spur-of-the-moment players, their success is also a result of thorough preparation. Syracuse was able to grind out a win against Boston College in February despite struggling in the circle.

With a spot in the final four on the line, the Orange hopes that it can rely on Kempney and Locey — just like it has all season — to get it there.

“This is a very good team,” Gait said, “and we’re at a point now where anybody can beat anybody if you don’t show up and play your best game.

“We’ll do a much better job of getting the ball to our players.”

Published on May 16, 2014 at 7:03 pm

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3