Syracuse defenders rotated quickly through their zone defense, their feet constantly in motion. They closed passing lanes, caused turnovers and held the fourth-highest scoring team in the Big East to its lowest point total of the season.

No. 7 Notre Dame came into the Carrier Dome on Friday averaging 13.58 goals a game, with No. 5 SU averaging 9.42 goals against. The Orange (11-3, 6-0 Big East) defeated the Fighting Irish (11-2, 5-2 Big East) 11-8 in front of 689 at the Carrier Dome on Friday night, behind a stalwart defensive effort.

“They were exceptional,” SU head coach Gary Gait said. “They were all over the place. They gave us numerous opportunities. The reason that we had 35 shots is because they just kept getting us the ball back. Between the ride and the turnovers on defense, especially in the first half, it was exceptional.”

Syracuse’s all-around defensive effort was stellar. Players from top to bottom on the roster made plays. They held the Fighting Irish’s leading-scorer, Lindsay Powell, to no goals and no assists.

Defender Maddy Huegel had the best performance of her young career. The freshman caused two turnovers, tying her season-high. She also had four ground balls, which doubled her season-high.

With the Orange leading 8-3 in the opening minutes of the second half, Irish attack McKenzie Brown had a free-position shot to the left of SU goalkeeper Kelsey Richardson. McKenzie couldn’t even get a shot off, as Huegel and Katie Webster swarmed her from both sides.

At the 17:39 mark of the second half, Huegel stole the ball from Irish midfielder Stephanie Toy. Toy was so frustrated she immediately fouled an SU player.

Huegel pointed to the team’s exceptional back-checking and ability to pick up ground balls in the middle of the field as the reason for SU’s success. She credited her teammates, including Becca Block, who push her to become a better defender.

“We worked really well together as a team and we knew that we had to step up to give the offense more opportunities with Michelle (Tumolo) out,” Block said. “We came up with some key stops.”

After the Irish cut a five-goal SU lead to two with 14:27 to play, the Orange held Notre Dame scoreless for exactly 11 minutes.

As it preached all year, SU’s ride was stellar. Syracuse attackers prevented eight clears and caused 14 turnovers.

Late in the first half, Amy Cross turned the ball over near the far sideline. But she stayed with the play, and forced an Irish player to drop the ball. Cross dove after it to regain possession for SU. Notre Dame attack Kaitlin Brosco quickly fouled her.

Devon Collins made another great defensive play with about 10 minutes to go in the game. After SU attack Erica Bodt turned the ball over, Collins sprinted 15 yards and tracked down ND’s Hannah Hartman. Collins caused Hartman to turn the ball over.

“It was all over the field,” attack Alyssa Murray said. “It’s just little plays that go unrecognized in the stat book and among the media. But they’re just great plays all over the field by players that aren’t up here (press table) that deserve to be recognized.”

And when the Orange turned the ball it over, it was eager to get it back.

“Obviously nobody wants to make a mistake and have a turnover, but there’s even more incentive to go and get the ball back,” Murray said. “…I think, especially today, I think our team played with heart all over the field.”

In program history, the Orange is now 143-13 when holding opponents to single-digit goals.

“I thought the defense played great,” Gait said. “Played tough, held them for a long time and made it difficult for them to get really good scoring opportunities. And, you know, they had a couple at the end, but overall, I thought they played very strong.”

Published on April 20, 2013 at 12:19 am

Contact Josh: jmhyber@syr.edu