One month ago Stephanie Bissett knew little of the Carrier Dome sideline. The junior defender had played in every game of her Syracuse career, starting all but three. Through 38 games, Bissett spent most of her time scooping groundballs and causing turnovers on the field. Watching and rooting was foreign.

Less than three weeks ago, Chelsea Strodel was no more accustomed to the bench than Bissett. The senior defender had played every game since her freshman season, starting 38 straight. Strodel earned All-Big East second team as a junior. Through 10 games, her senior year looked even stronger.

With both Bissett and Strodel injured, Syracuse needed to adjust quickly with two of its best defensive players out of the lineup. But with two regular seasons games left before the first Big East tournament, the Orange’s defense has found its rhythm just in time.

No. 10 Syracuse (8-4, 3-1 Big East) looks to extend its winning streak to three when it hosts Cornell (3-7, 2-3 Ivy League) tonight at 7 in the Carrier Dome. The Big Red has never beaten the Orange in Syracuse and will face a revamped defense overshadowed by a vaunted offensive unit.

‘We always work and rotate a lot in practice, so the players behind (Bissett and Strodel) view this as a great opportunity,’ Syracuse head coach Lisa Miller said. ‘Somebody else’s loss is your opportunity, essentially. Kids are stepping in, and I think they’re doing a really nice job.’

Bissett last played on March 14 against Towson and has missed six-straight games. She is expected to miss the rest of the season, finishing with five groundballs and four caused turnovers.

Strodel tried to practice after suffering an injury against Northwestern on March 30, but eventually shut down. The Orange hopes she will come back before the end of the year. A possible return date is still unknown. This season Strodel has 17 groundballs and 13 caused turnovers.

In the interim, Miller has turned mainly to experienced players to fill the void left by the two injured upperclassmen. Bridget Hamm has started four-consecutive games after scooping 22 groundballs in 13 games last season. The sophomore caused four turnovers Friday against Rutgers, and Miller calls her ‘a great team defender.’

Seniors Shari Appollon and Melissa Pearsall – two veterans with big-game experience – have also enjoyed increased minutes. They’ve both played NCAA tournament games in the past.

‘Shari and Melissa are like sixth men in basketball when they have in the past come off the bench and played very well,’ Miller said. ‘Now we’re asking them to get ready just a little bit earlier – now you’re the fifth man.’

Continuing with the overall youth movement of the program, a group of four freshmen -Eileen Finn, Rebecca Greenslade, Lindsay Rogers and Breanna Stiff – have suddenly adopted larger roles.

However, both injured players leave holes difficult to fix. At 5-foot-11, Strodel brought a long reach uncommon to most defenders. She was able to use her wingspan to knock balls away and disrupt shots.

Bissett was the vocal leader of the defense and the player the rest of the unit turned to for instruction. Instead of choosing another player to fill that role, Miller said the defensive players are chattering more among themselves instead of relying on one leader.

‘This team is quicker, lateral and lower to the ground,’ Miller said. ‘Stephanie was the vocal leader to a fault, but we don’t need someone else to do what she did. They’re working well as a group.’

Despite the lineup changes, the defense has improved throughout the season. Though the Orange’s offense has received most of the attention, the defense has quietly turned into a weapon.

Syracuse leads the Big East in caused turnovers per game (11) save percentage (.485). Goalie Amber Pardee-Hill struggled early in the year, but has rapidly improved. Hamm said Pardee-Hill’s growth is partially a product of better play in front of her by the defense.

With a 3-1 conference record, the Orange has a chance to win the regular-season Big East crown for the first time in program history. As the defense continues to grow, the goal becomes more realistic.

‘It took some time to get used to everybody on the field, but it’s clicking now,’ junior Christina Gibson said. ‘We know each other better now as players, not just as friends.’

Published on April 17, 2007 at 12:00 pm