Spring Break
The Daily OrangeWLAX | Gait disappointed in Orange's response in defeat at Virginia
By Christopher James
Posted: 3/3/08, 10:52 PM EST Section: Sports
"I think we tensed up to be honest," Gait said. "We started gripping our sticks real tight. We had some great opportunities, but we went back to what we know. … We became predictable."
The game also presented a learning experience for the defense and freshman goalie Liz Hogan. Brady said she was extremely impressed with the defensive effort given the long stretches Virginia held the ball for.
Hogan said she tried to communicate with her defense to keep focus during the Cavaliers' sustained possessions. Moments earlier on Monday, Hogan and her defense were very vocal as their voices reverberated throughout the Carrier Dome during practice.
"It's definitely hard mentally to stay in it," Hogan said. "Your defense has to be ready not just watching the ball but watching what they're doing, too. That can get draining over several minutes."
Gait said Hogan can take the lessons from Saturday as she saw shots she had never seen before. The first chance is tonight against a decidedly less-talented Binghamton (2-2) team. But Syracuse will be without the services of senior midfielder Bridget Looney, who suffered an undisclosed knee injury on Saturday.
Gait said he wants to see his team adjust to adversity better and be comfortable taking risks in games against top opponents. The next chance for that is when No. 1 Northwestern comes to the Dome March 24.
"I think we are right there," Gait said. "We need to be ready to adapt to anything and then it's really about developing the confidence to know you belong at this level."
chjames@syr.edu
The game also presented a learning experience for the defense and freshman goalie Liz Hogan. Brady said she was extremely impressed with the defensive effort given the long stretches Virginia held the ball for.
Hogan said she tried to communicate with her defense to keep focus during the Cavaliers' sustained possessions. Moments earlier on Monday, Hogan and her defense were very vocal as their voices reverberated throughout the Carrier Dome during practice.
"It's definitely hard mentally to stay in it," Hogan said. "Your defense has to be ready not just watching the ball but watching what they're doing, too. That can get draining over several minutes."
Gait said Hogan can take the lessons from Saturday as she saw shots she had never seen before. The first chance is tonight against a decidedly less-talented Binghamton (2-2) team. But Syracuse will be without the services of senior midfielder Bridget Looney, who suffered an undisclosed knee injury on Saturday.
Gait said he wants to see his team adjust to adversity better and be comfortable taking risks in games against top opponents. The next chance for that is when No. 1 Northwestern comes to the Dome March 24.
"I think we are right there," Gait said. "We need to be ready to adapt to anything and then it's really about developing the confidence to know you belong at this level."
chjames@syr.edu
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