Tara Danielson, Stanford’s head coach, yelled, “Watch No. 14,” from the sidelines Sunday afternoon as Laura Hurff weaved between the Cardinal defenders, smashing a pass upfield to Emma Lamison.

Danielson had yelled it for the third time in 20 minutes, but down by one late in the first half to Syracuse, it was going to take more than yelling to stop Hurff.

Hurff was involved in virtually every play Sunday afternoon, tallying a goal and an assist in Syracuse’s (6-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) 3-1 victory over Stanford (1-4, 0-1 American East) on Sunday at J.S. Coyne Stadium.

With constant callouts from Danielson, Hurff was the obvious focus of Stanford’s defense, drawing double coverage in certain situations and barely seeing a free second.

Yet despite the constant attention, the junior midfielder/forward was still able to maneuver through holes and put SU in prime offensive position multiple times.

“We couldn’t have done it without midfielders like Hurff and Serra Degnan who run their asses off for us,” Lies Lagerweij said. “(Hurff) is so incredibly fit, and it’s incredible to have midfielders like that in front of us.”

After a 15th-minute penalty corner, the ball ended up wedged under the leg pad of Stanford goalie Kelsey Bing. The goalie sprawled across the frame of the net, trying to shield the ball as players scrambled in front of her to grab it.

A Stanford defender found the ball, smashing it out of harm’s way, but right to the feet of Hurff, standing a mere 10 yards from the goal. Hurff trapped the ball and pounded it into the goal, crossing her arms and subtly flexing her muscles as she slowly walked away from the goal, staring back at the Stanford defense that she had just dominated.

“When we lost (Alyssa Manley), everyone was like, ‘Someone’s gotta fill that role,’” Hurff said. “So I kind of took it upon myself to do the best I could to step into her shoes.”

Hurff said she has been trying to be more calm, confident, and reliable for SU as one of its central midfielders. Hurff’s play has become a reflection of Manley, and the midfielder played all 70 minutes for SU against Stanford.

When she wasn’t scoring, Hurff was pushing the pace of the game and working with Degnan and Roos Weers, to push up the field and lead constant attacks on the Cardinal defense.

“We talked to Laura about going from being a role player to being a leader,” SU head coach Ange Bradley said. “With the way she is right now, we’re really challenging her to lead by example and by her play.”

Hurff’s most illustrious moment of the game came 23 minutes in, when she took a shot on goal from nearly 20 yards away. The ball ricocheted off the pad of Bing and dribbled slowly toward the goal. Elaine Carey swooped in, tapping home the Orange’s second goal of the game.

For Hurff, the play began as a shot, but ended as an assist. Just like when she avoided defenders in the attacking third, she also created opportunities with the same plays. She showcased her fluidity and ability to play multiple roles at once on Sunday, and has been one of the biggest contributors in SU’s undefeated campaign to start the season.

“I think anybody that watches us play notices No. 14,” Bradley said. “I think she’s probably one of the the best collegiate athletes out there, and a really good field hockey player.”

Published on September 11, 2016 at 7:59 pm

Contact Matt: mjfel100@syr.edu