Combined, Skylar Thomas and Jordan Murrell have started all 93 games they’ve played in for Syracuse.

The two senior defenders are virtual locks on the back line and, with head coach Ian McIntyre using a three-man defense in 2014, that third spot could belong to a number of others.

But through two games, Tyler Hilliard has made it his own.

The redshirt junior is one of three players — along with goalie Alex Bono and midfielder Nick Perea — that’s played all 180 minutes of the regular season for the Orange. Hilliard has thrived at right center back, and with his defensive prowess and top-line speed, has helped SU post two shutouts to start the 2014 campaign with heavy competition for back line playing time.

After missing 13 games in 2013 due to injury, Hilliard will look to continue his already impressive bounce-back season when SU (2-0) faces Rutgers (2-0) at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, New Jersey on Thursday at 7 p.m.

“He’s very athletic. He’s got pace, strength,” McIntyre said. “Probably him and Skylar Thomas are our best individual defenders, and (Hilliard is) a real warrior out there.”

In a 3-0 win against St. Mary’s on Sunday, Hilliard pressured the Gaels all over the field. 

In the game’s first four minutes, he won two headers off crosses on the left edge of the Gaels’ six-yard box. He successfully slipped passes up the right wing despite St. Mary’s forwards pulling at his jersey hard enough to bend his back. And as the Gaels repeatedly fouled the Orange, Hilliard ignited quick restarts from the defensive third to spur the up-tempo Syracuse attack. 

The right-most defender in the 3-5-2 is a role Hilliard has embraced, and one he sees himself succeeding in moving forward.

“I’m liking it a lot because it gives us more responsibility in the back,” Hilliard said of being one of three defenders, rather than one of four. “Personally, I think I fit into the formation very well, and I’ve played next to both Skylar and Louis (Cross) now, and they’re both very good center backs so everything is working out.”

McIntyre has emphasized depth in the back often in the Orange’s young season. With defenders like the now-healthy Chris Makowski, who’s started 51 career games, and Cross, who scored in his Syracuse debut against Niagara on Friday, threatening for minutes, Hilliard’s grasp on a starting role will depend on his ability to continue his exceptional play. 

He said he’s been at 100 percent since January, through his summer Premier Development League season with the Ocean City Nor’easters. Hilliard has thrived upon returning to school a different player, Murrell said.

“His training habits have improved a lot and just trying to keep up with him actually because he’s been working so much harder to get back to where everyone was,” Murrell said. “That’s the sign of a good athlete.

Hilliard will be up to his toughest task yet against Rutgers, and with starting spots always up for grabs, he remains unfazed.

“There’s competition at every position, so any day anyone could start,” Hilliard said. “In practice, I just work hard, do what I can on the field and let Mac go ahead and take care of the coaching.”

Published on September 4, 2014 at 12:10 am

Contact Matt: mcschnei@syr.edu | @matt_schneidman