The Syracuse attack walked onto Schoellkopf Field for the second half of the Orange’s matchup against Cornell on March 20 with a directive: Stop forcing passes to the middle of the field.

SU coughed up the ball seven times in the first half and let an underpowered Big Red team keep the contest close. Gary Gait and SU’s coaching staff hoped that fewer passes into crowded areas would limit turnovers and prevent Cornell from getting fast-break chances. Even though Syracuse had more giveaways in the second frame (nine), it held the Big Red to a pair of second-half scores. The scheme change hadn’t worked perfectly, but it did enough to ensure a victory.

“We were talking it out,” Gait said afterwards, “and trying to figure out the adjustments we need to make to have success and we did and that got us back on another run.”

More often than not, second-half performance has been an indicator of No. 9 Syracuse’s (6-3, 0-2 Atlantic Coast) success. SU has outscored opponents 24-12 in the second frame en route to a 2-1 record in its last three outings. Despite losing in overtime against Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, a late 7-2 run powered the Orange in its most recent outing. A strong gameplan and willingness to adjust will be imperative when SU visits No. 11 Northwestern (6-3, 1-0 Big 10) and its 11th-ranked defense (9.13 goals per game) on March 26 in Evanston, Illinois.

Junior attack Nicole Levy called the Orange “a bit of a second-half team,” following the Cornell win, but couldn’t provide an explanation as to why. A few days later, sophomore Emily Hawryschuk tried to answer.

“Maybe some games, it’s defense-heavy in the first half,” she said. “By the time we do get the ball in the first half, we’re trying and we don’t really get that rhythm going yet. Second half, all over the field, I think everyone steps up so we have more opportunities with the ball.”

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Seemingly all season long, Syracuse has had trouble earning possessions. The new draw control rules and loss of standout specialist Morgan Widner to a knee injury has impacted the Orange at the faceoff X. SU’s lack of possessions has held back the offense at times, Hawryschuk said.

Syracuse usually spends the first 30 minutes testing out its gameplan and waiting for the break to enact any changes. During in-game breaks, the attackers meet with Gait while the defense is instructed by associate head coach Regy Thorpe and assistant coach Caitlin Defliese.

At the half, SU has “one big team meeting.” The purpose of a larger conversation is to encourage players to point out opponents’ tactics and recommend modifications to the coaching staff and teammates.  Many times this season, Gait has pointed out Syracuse’s depth as an advantage.

Rotational players know they will be utilized in the second half, so they make sure to understand the blueprint. Their fresher legs can exploit the opposition, as they did on March 16 against Harvard. Five different Orange players, including two non-starters, scored on a 6-0 run that keyed a 20-13 blowout of the Crimson.

“Going into halftime,” Hawryschuk said, “we know everything that’s happening and going on and look at it all and second half we know what to do.”

Asa Goldstock and Hannah Van Middelem, Syracuse’s main goalies, often head back on the field earlier than others to face shots. In addition to extensive film review sessions, both Goldstock and Van Middelem use the halftime break to discuss where shooters are aiming on free-position shots. If one of them had allowed a few goals in the top corner during the first half, they are more conscious of that fact in the second frame.

Following one of the toughest stretches in the country, SU is in the midst of a five-game stretch on the road. After almost every game, Gait has said Syracuse looks to build off its success and create a stronger gameplan during practice. But this season, some of the most significant improvements have come in the middle of games.

“It’s the last half,” Hawryschuk said, “last 30 minutes of the game, and we need to show up.”

Published on March 25, 2018 at 10:56 pm

Contact Nick: nialvare@syr.edu | @nick_a_alvarez