In the aftermath of Syracuse’s 3-0 loss to Notre Dame on Sept. 13, Chris Makowski wanted to quietly fade out.

But SU Athletics intern Alex Brooks interrupted his escape from SU Soccer Stadium and guided him to postgame interviews. A small crowd waited for him with recorders in the air. “All of them?” Makowski asked. Brooks nodded.

Makowski knew why everyone wanted to talk to him. He had struggled throughout the contest and would have to recount the three goals SU conceded. So he stood, grass-stained from head to toe, and answered questions about his nightmarish night.

He said the defense would do better. He said the team would do better. And, most importantly, he said he himself would do better.

Three wins in the four games since and Makowski has kept all of his promises.

He’ll look to continue his recent success when Syracuse (6-3, 1-3 Atlantic Coast) hosts Binghamton (2-5-2) at SU Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Makowski has been thrust into the defensive spotlight for the second straight season and has proven to be a pivotal part of the SU back line once again.

“Chris really struggled against Notre Dame and he knew it,” head coach Ian McIntyre said. “But he has really bounced back which shows how tough he is.”

Makowski, a junior defender, has played in 46 career games, which is tied for the most of all current Syracuse players. In that time, he has developed a modest pregame routine that is characteristic of his no-nonsense play.

He isn’t much for superstitions. Instead, he finds comfort in a team meal leading up to every match before settling into quiet reflection prior to warm ups. While the opponent at hand does cross his mind, he has trained himself to focus on other things.

“It’s always been hard not to focus on who you’re playing but it’s not the most important thing,” Makowski said. “I mainly think about our game and what I can do to help the team win.”

It’s this game-to-game approach that has let Makowski thrive under strenuous situations in the last two seasons. Junior Skylar Thomas, who normally starts next to him in the center of the defense, missed the final 10 games last season with a broken foot.

Thomas has been sidelined again this season with a hamstring injury and Tyler Hilliard, his replacement a season ago, has been hurt as well. The once-deep defensive unit has been thinned and Makowski has been increasingly vocal while taking on more responsibility in sweeping out the opposing attack.

“He has helped me adapt to starting a lot,” said Brandon Albert, who replaced Thomas on the back line. “He’s stepped up for the whole defense and is helping everyone communicate more.”

Against Duke, SU’s lone conference victory, Makowski spearheaded a strong defensive effort that led the Orange to a 2-1 come-from-behind win. The performance earned him national recognition as he was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week on Sept. 23.

But he deflected any compliments regarding the achievement.

“It’s really not about me, just a testament to how well the team is doing,” Makowski said. “If I had to give anyone credit it’s the defense and the whole squad.”

Now SU will look to pick up the pieces once again. Syracuse lost 2-0 to Virginia at home on Saturday night and dropped to 1-3 in the ACC.

“There’s always the next day,” Makowski said after the game. “We’ll gather ourselves.”

And he’s right. Binghamton is a nonconference opponent that the Orange can regroup against, but that doesn’t mean he will approach it any differently.

He’ll eat with the team, dissect his personal and team goals and then take to the field. When the PA announcer calls his name he’ll gently acknowledge the crowd then situate his shaggy hair under a thin headband at his post in front of Alex Bono and the SU goal.

Then the whistle blows and another day at the office begins.

“Chris was our MVP last year,” McIntyre said. “When he’s going well you can tell the effect it has on the team.”

Published on October 1, 2013 at 12:15 am

Contact Jesse: jcdoug01@syr.edu | @dougherty_jesse