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The Daily OrangeMLAX | Streaky defense keys series of crucial runs for Syracuse
By Kyle Austin and Tyler Dunne
Posted: 4/9/08, 2:03 AM EST Section: Sports
ITHACA, N.Y. - Of the eight losses Syracuse endured last season, none may have been more painful than the one against Cornell.
With four seconds left to play, Cornell midfielder Max Seibald scored the game-winner, sending the Orange in a downward spiral the rest of the season.
Tuesday, it was a different story.
The Orange played tough defense as the attack built what would be an insurmountable lead. There would be no opportunity for a game-winner after SU head coach John Desko's game plan held Seibald to two goals and the team to eight goals, tied for a season-low.
"We really wanted to concentrate on not letting Glynn and Seibald create a lot of unsettled situations," Desko said. "I think we did a pretty good job getting in against them, collapsing against them defensively and double-teaming when we needed to."
The Syracuse defense worked in streaks during its 15-8 win over Cornell Tuesday night. After giving up a quick goal 19 seconds into the game, it held the Big Red scoreless in the ensuing nine minutes. And after allowing a goal at the 5:09 mark of the first quarter, the Orange gave up only one goal in the next 23 minutes as it built a four-goal cushion.
It was a solid, if not spectacular, performance from a reworked, up-and-coming unit. But the defense was there when the Orange needed it. When Cornell mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to cut the lead to four, the defense went on another streak, this time nearly eight minutes, as SU pulled away with a four-goal run.
"Our defense is keeping us in games," attack Kenny Nims said. "Sid (Smith) and Kyle (Guadagnolo) and (Evan) Brady and (John) Galloway are really strong as a unit now."
Desko was pleased with the work of his defense, keeping a Cornell attack to three goals below its average, and helping Syracuse to its seventh consecutive win.
"I think all-in-all, for what they've been doing all year, the defense did pretty good," Desko said.
Sweet revenge
With four seconds left to play, Cornell midfielder Max Seibald scored the game-winner, sending the Orange in a downward spiral the rest of the season.
Tuesday, it was a different story.
The Orange played tough defense as the attack built what would be an insurmountable lead. There would be no opportunity for a game-winner after SU head coach John Desko's game plan held Seibald to two goals and the team to eight goals, tied for a season-low.
"We really wanted to concentrate on not letting Glynn and Seibald create a lot of unsettled situations," Desko said. "I think we did a pretty good job getting in against them, collapsing against them defensively and double-teaming when we needed to."
The Syracuse defense worked in streaks during its 15-8 win over Cornell Tuesday night. After giving up a quick goal 19 seconds into the game, it held the Big Red scoreless in the ensuing nine minutes. And after allowing a goal at the 5:09 mark of the first quarter, the Orange gave up only one goal in the next 23 minutes as it built a four-goal cushion.
It was a solid, if not spectacular, performance from a reworked, up-and-coming unit. But the defense was there when the Orange needed it. When Cornell mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to cut the lead to four, the defense went on another streak, this time nearly eight minutes, as SU pulled away with a four-goal run.
"Our defense is keeping us in games," attack Kenny Nims said. "Sid (Smith) and Kyle (Guadagnolo) and (Evan) Brady and (John) Galloway are really strong as a unit now."
Desko was pleased with the work of his defense, keeping a Cornell attack to three goals below its average, and helping Syracuse to its seventh consecutive win.
"I think all-in-all, for what they've been doing all year, the defense did pretty good," Desko said.
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