Syracuse’s players have talked all season about advancing deep into the Big East tournament. They want to make a statement in their last season in the conference.

Now is their chance.

Syracuse plays Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament in South Bend, Ind., on Sunday at 1 p.m. Behind strong defense, goaltending and timely goal scoring, the Orange finished second in the National Division to set up the matchup with the Fighting Irish, the No. 3 team in the American Division.

SU players are more confident than ever. Senior defender Skylar Sabbag went as far as almost guaranteeing victory.

“I think we’re definitely going to put it past them,” Sabbag said. “I hope that we continue to play as long as we can, because I don’t want it to end.”

SU goalkeeper Brittany Anghel said there is a bit of smack talk going on between her and Notre Dame forward Karin Simonian. Anghel and Simonian have played soccer together since they were 5 and grew up good friends on Long Island.

“I think that they think they’re going to kill us, but little do they know,” Anghel said. “We’re going to be out to get them. I think it’s going to be a good game.”

Anghel and SU head coach Phil Wheddon know Notre Dame’s style of play well. Wheddon assists Fighting Irish coach Randy Waldrum with the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team, which Anghel played for last summer.

The team has used its week off to watch Notre Dame film and focus on its game plan.

“I think we’re all really excited because we know they’re a beatable team,” Sabbag said. “They’re a lot different team than they were in the past. … You can just see it and feel it in the air that we’re working really hard. We’ve got a big battle coming up on Sunday and we’re ready for it.”

Last season the Orange lost its Big East quarterfinal game to Georgetown 3-1 after losing its final two regular-season games. This season, the Orange fell to American Division leader Marquette 2-0 before dominating St. John’s in a 3-0 win.

Sabbag said with the momentum the team has and with the strides it’s made this season, the Orange is a threat to the Fighting Irish.

“It’s always good to end on a high note,” freshman Jackie Firenze said.

Firenze feels fortunate to be part of what could be a special team in only her first year. Firenze is from nearby Baldwinsville and has seen the team’s struggles as a spectator.

“Anything is possible,” Firenze said. “We’ve been working hard and we have a great chance of continuing our season after Notre Dame, and we really think that we can beat them.”

Senior Jenna Rickan said the team is excited to take that next step.

“I think it’s a unique opportunity and I really would love nothing more than to beat them,” Anghel said. “It would be good to leave our stamp in the Big East and beat Notre Dame and move on from there, and hopefully win a Big East title.”

Published on October 25, 2012 at 12:41 am

Contact Josh: jmhyber@syr.edu