Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMSOC | As spark for offense, Villanova's Taylor gives SU defense fits
By Christopher James
Posted: 10/25/07, 1:45 AM EST Section: Sports
After battling all night against a physical Orange defense, Villanova's Joe Taylor slid in against SU's Erik Kreider with his bright yellow cleats and stripped the ball ahead to Mike Seamon.
Seamon's finish into the back of the net gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead before winning, 3-2, Wednesday night at the SU Soccer Stadium. While Seamon scored the hat trick, it was the junior midfielder Taylor who was Villanova's catalyst, fighting all night with a defense that had surrendered just one goal at home coming into the game.
"They're just big and athletic," Taylor said of the SU defense. "We would get the ball and they were right up in our face. We didn't have any room."
The Syracuse defense held strong in the first half, shutting out Villanova. Still, Taylor fought down the left and right side, searching for any opportunity and creating free kicks, corner kicks and scoring opportunities for the Wildcats.
Villanova's best chance of the first half came with Taylor streaking down the left, and finding Seamon at the top of the 18-yard box. Seamon floated one just over the bar, giving a preview of what was to come in the second half.
"Villanova battles," Orange defender Aaron Bonser said. "They're a tough team to play against."
The Wildcats proved that. Down 1-0 at halftime and with Villanova posting just three shots, Taylor said he still believed the breakthrough was close.
"We actually made a comment about that at the half," Taylor said. "We knew we had some good play. We knew we could create some chances."
For this game, Wildcats coach Larry Sullivan moved Taylor out wide for the first time, as opposed to keeping him in central midfield. It paid off with Taylor's blistering runs down the side.
The Orange's pure physical size allowed it to keep Taylor in check through the first half. At 5-foot-9, Taylor was at least three inches shorter than Bonser and fellow defender Brien Chamney. As he made runs deep into defense, Taylor ran into defenders. Sullivan said the physical defenders kept pushing the ball right back at him, limiting his space.
Seamon's finish into the back of the net gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead before winning, 3-2, Wednesday night at the SU Soccer Stadium. While Seamon scored the hat trick, it was the junior midfielder Taylor who was Villanova's catalyst, fighting all night with a defense that had surrendered just one goal at home coming into the game.
"They're just big and athletic," Taylor said of the SU defense. "We would get the ball and they were right up in our face. We didn't have any room."The Syracuse defense held strong in the first half, shutting out Villanova. Still, Taylor fought down the left and right side, searching for any opportunity and creating free kicks, corner kicks and scoring opportunities for the Wildcats.
Villanova's best chance of the first half came with Taylor streaking down the left, and finding Seamon at the top of the 18-yard box. Seamon floated one just over the bar, giving a preview of what was to come in the second half.
"Villanova battles," Orange defender Aaron Bonser said. "They're a tough team to play against."
The Wildcats proved that. Down 1-0 at halftime and with Villanova posting just three shots, Taylor said he still believed the breakthrough was close.
"We actually made a comment about that at the half," Taylor said. "We knew we had some good play. We knew we could create some chances."
For this game, Wildcats coach Larry Sullivan moved Taylor out wide for the first time, as opposed to keeping him in central midfield. It paid off with Taylor's blistering runs down the side.
The Orange's pure physical size allowed it to keep Taylor in check through the first half. At 5-foot-9, Taylor was at least three inches shorter than Bonser and fellow defender Brien Chamney. As he made runs deep into defense, Taylor ran into defenders. Sullivan said the physical defenders kept pushing the ball right back at him, limiting his space.
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