Spring Break
The Daily OrangeWSOC: With leading scorer sidelined, SU turns to freshman Morris
By Jen McCaffrey
Posted: 9/30/08, 11:25 PM EST Section: Sports
Tension filled the air when sophomore forward Megan Bellingham went down in the 55th minute of last Thursday's game against Pittsburgh at SU Soccer Stadium. Concerned looks spread through the team as Bellingham finally got up and made it to the sidelines, stretching her leg gingerly.
Bellingham, the team's leading scorer and fourth-best scorer in the Big East, sat out the remainder of that game and not play in Sunday's 8-0 loss at West Virginia. Her replacement in both contests was freshman midfielder Amanda Morris.
Morris has been the main substitute for Bellingham this season, coming off the bench to rest the sophomore forward. Now as Bellingham rests her sore hip, Morris will have even more playing time.
"It's really hard to replace someone like Megan," Morris said. "It's unfortunate she couldn't play. I just try to give it my best."
The freshman midfielder recorded her first assist Sept. 25 drawing Pittsburgh's goalkeeper out front and feeding the ball to fellow freshman defender Taylor Chamberlain who promptly placed the ball in the back of the net. That goal came 20 minutes after Bellingham's departure and proved to be the only one the Orange would need to win the game. It was also the last goal Syracuse has scored in the two games since Bellingham was taken out.
Morris knows that Bellingham's presence cannot be replaced, but she is trying to fill the role until the forward can return. Bellingham has encouraged Morris by giving her tips on how to take advantage of the ball with her speed.
"She kind of motivated me for it and told me to check into the ball and gave me a good heads-up about (West Virginia)," Morris said.
Morris had a chance to prove those skills Sunday after Bellingham participated in pre-game drills with the team. SU head coach Phil Wheddon decided to hold Bellingham out because he didn't want to risk further injury.
"As a coach I believe in looking at the big picture," Wheddon said. "The big picture is we've got games that we should win ahead, and having her in those games is more important than playing her for 15 or 20 minutes against West Virginia. She's got three or four days where she's recovering, which is good for her health and good for the team."
Bellingham, the team's leading scorer and fourth-best scorer in the Big East, sat out the remainder of that game and not play in Sunday's 8-0 loss at West Virginia. Her replacement in both contests was freshman midfielder Amanda Morris.
Morris has been the main substitute for Bellingham this season, coming off the bench to rest the sophomore forward. Now as Bellingham rests her sore hip, Morris will have even more playing time.
"It's really hard to replace someone like Megan," Morris said. "It's unfortunate she couldn't play. I just try to give it my best."
The freshman midfielder recorded her first assist Sept. 25 drawing Pittsburgh's goalkeeper out front and feeding the ball to fellow freshman defender Taylor Chamberlain who promptly placed the ball in the back of the net. That goal came 20 minutes after Bellingham's departure and proved to be the only one the Orange would need to win the game. It was also the last goal Syracuse has scored in the two games since Bellingham was taken out.
Morris knows that Bellingham's presence cannot be replaced, but she is trying to fill the role until the forward can return. Bellingham has encouraged Morris by giving her tips on how to take advantage of the ball with her speed.
"She kind of motivated me for it and told me to check into the ball and gave me a good heads-up about (West Virginia)," Morris said.
Morris had a chance to prove those skills Sunday after Bellingham participated in pre-game drills with the team. SU head coach Phil Wheddon decided to hold Bellingham out because he didn't want to risk further injury.
"As a coach I believe in looking at the big picture," Wheddon said. "The big picture is we've got games that we should win ahead, and having her in those games is more important than playing her for 15 or 20 minutes against West Virginia. She's got three or four days where she's recovering, which is good for her health and good for the team."
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