Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMSOC | Syracuse's defense returns to form, holds Bulls in check
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 10/29/07, 12:38 AM EST Section: Sports
All season long, Dean Foti complained about the quick turnaround between games, concerned about his squad's fatigue and health while often playing twice in four days. After Saturday's match, though, the Syracuse men's soccer team head coach was thanking the schedule makers for such a quick layover.
"Sometimes a short turnover is the best thing," Foti said. "You can't dwell on anything, you just gotta move onto the next game and get prepared for it. And that's what we did."
It was exactly what the Orange needed - to return to the field quickly after its worst half of the season. On Wednesday, mental lapses on defense led to three goals in eight minutes by Villanova's Mike Seamon, costing Syracuse a valuable opportunity to pick up three points. A couple of days later, the backline reminded everyone why it's the backbone of the team.
The Syracuse defensive unit returned to form Saturday, leading the Orange to a key 1-0 victory over No. 22 South Florida, keeping its slim postseason hopes alive. Unlike in the second half Wednesday, SU's back four played a full 90 minutes maintaining its shape and forcing the Bulls into second-range shots and turnovers.
"Before the game, there wasn't much talk of anything because guys knew what we needed to do," said Brad Peetoom, senior defenseman and team captain. "It was time to stop talking about it and do it, and that's exactly what we did."
In the first 20 minutes of the match, the defense already seemed more together and controlled than it did Wednesday. South Florida's first three shots didn't even reach the goal area, instead getting blocked and deflected by defensemen.
Each of the first three USF shooters initially appeared to have an opening, but defensive players quickly closed the gap and prevented the ball from reaching SU goalkeeper Rob Cavicchia. South Florida took 10 shots total in the game, most of which from outside the box, and Cavicchia needed to make only four saves.
Of those shots, four were blocked, and the Syracuse defense intercepted and stole several long crosses and balls toward the goal that could've created scoring chances for the Bulls.
"Sometimes a short turnover is the best thing," Foti said. "You can't dwell on anything, you just gotta move onto the next game and get prepared for it. And that's what we did."
It was exactly what the Orange needed - to return to the field quickly after its worst half of the season. On Wednesday, mental lapses on defense led to three goals in eight minutes by Villanova's Mike Seamon, costing Syracuse a valuable opportunity to pick up three points. A couple of days later, the backline reminded everyone why it's the backbone of the team.
The Syracuse defensive unit returned to form Saturday, leading the Orange to a key 1-0 victory over No. 22 South Florida, keeping its slim postseason hopes alive. Unlike in the second half Wednesday, SU's back four played a full 90 minutes maintaining its shape and forcing the Bulls into second-range shots and turnovers.
"Before the game, there wasn't much talk of anything because guys knew what we needed to do," said Brad Peetoom, senior defenseman and team captain. "It was time to stop talking about it and do it, and that's exactly what we did."
In the first 20 minutes of the match, the defense already seemed more together and controlled than it did Wednesday. South Florida's first three shots didn't even reach the goal area, instead getting blocked and deflected by defensemen.
Each of the first three USF shooters initially appeared to have an opening, but defensive players quickly closed the gap and prevented the ball from reaching SU goalkeeper Rob Cavicchia. South Florida took 10 shots total in the game, most of which from outside the box, and Cavicchia needed to make only four saves.
Of those shots, four were blocked, and the Syracuse defense intercepted and stole several long crosses and balls toward the goal that could've created scoring chances for the Bulls.
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