One hundred and nine. That’s how many goals the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team has scored through eight games this season. It’s the same amount the team scored through eight games last season. While SU has posted a respectable 5-3 record against a grueling schedule, something just isn’t clicking.

Leading scorers Alyssa Murray and Michelle Tumolo had scored less than 39 percent of the team’s first 109 goals last season. This season, they have less than 37 percent, so it’s not purely an issue with the top scorers.

“I think it’s a combination,” SU head coach Gary Gait said. “I think you can look at our shooting percentage and our players and there are certain players that are struggling a little bit, just not quite in a groove. And when we get those players turned around, I think it makes a huge difference, especially in one-goal games.”

Syracuse (5-3, 1-0 Big East) will look to start a few goal-scoring streaks this weekend as it hits the midway point of the season on Friday at 4 p.m. against Villanova (5-4, 0-1). The No. 8 Orange continues the weekend road trip in New Jersey on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Rutgers (8-2, 1-1).

With teams aware of the talent of Tumolo, Murray and Katie Webster, they’ve adjusted defensive schemes. Teams are now face-guarding Tumolo, a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist last year. They’re paying more attention to Murray, who scored 74 goals last year.

“Teams understand the type of players you have and make adjustments. And I think that’s kind of what we found,” Gait said. “We’re just trying to find that groove with the group that we have and that next-level chemistry, and hopefully this mid part of the season we can focus on that.”

Confidence also plays a role, and Gait said as soon as a certain confidence level hits, the team will be able to put together a string of wins and goal-scoring streaks. Tumolo said she believes everyone can step up their games.

“I think it’s everyone,” Tumolo said. “Just because me and Alyssa aren’t the whole team. Everyone can score. Everyone’s a goal scorer.”

After Tumolo and Murray, freshman Kayla Treanor has taken over the goal-scoring with 17 through eight games. But then the production takes a steep dip. Webster had 17 goals at this point last year. This year she has eight.

“She’s continued to work on it and we’re hoping the switch goes on,” Gait said of Webster. “She certainly had more opportunities on the doorstep in that last game. … But she’s the type of player that has the potential to be scoring three, four goals a game and she’s not quite getting it done right now. But I have confidence that she’s going to turn that corner.”

Devon Collins had 14 goals at this point last year. This year she has nine.

Collins said it would be nice for both the top-tier and secondary scoring to improve, especially with teams knowing the skill Tumolo has and focusing their defenses on her.

Tumolo pointed to freshman Erica Bodt as someone who’s on the verge of taking that next step in adding a scoring punch to a lineup in need of secondary scoring.

“She’s got one of the best shots on the team,” Tumolo said. “I’m always emphasizing go to goal, go to goal, and she looks at me and I’m like, ‘Go! Don’t be scared if you miss it. At least you’re going to goal and shooting.’”

Gait said playing the tough early-season opponents like Maryland, Virginia and Florida and will help players now face lesser opponents and put up the statistics they’re capable of.

“That’s the plan,” Gait said. “Have your tough games early and see what it’s really like, and then hopefully build some confidence in the middle and make a run at the end.”

Published on April 4, 2013 at 1:09 am

Contact Josh: jmhyber@syr.edu