Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFH | Syracuse sneaks past Providence to earn title game berth
By Edward Paik
Posted: 11/10/08, 4:06 AM EST Section: Sports
Once the Orange figured out how to score on Providence's physical defense -capitalizing on speed and penalties - the team calmed its nerves.
"It started off very physical, but I think once we started moving the ball more, they weren't able to come in hard, and if they did it, was after the play and that was where they were getting called," Taylor said.
The physical aspect of the game worked in SU's favor, Bradley said, as the team was able to respond to the Friars' defensive game plan by "bouncing off their bodies."
The Orange came away with 23 shots. Twice, forward Lindsay Conrad drove the ball up the midfield as the Friars continually dropped behind the Syracuse offense to match its speed.
They were opportunities the Orange should have capitalized on, forward Kristin Girouard said, "We just couldn't get the right touch on it."
At times too nervous, at times too excited, the Orange found middle ground by the end - focusing on their own offense, converting on penalties.
"It's the Big East Tournament. Everyone is fighting for their lives, and you've got to go after it," Bradley said. "If you sit back and wait you can be down two goals."
But Taylor, the team captain, spoke to her team the night before about Saturday's game. The Orange faced an elimination match, but she reminded her team the importance of keeping focus and to leave the field with no regrets.
The message? "It settled in," Taylor said.
Coming off the field, SU back Heather Doran hugged the senior captain and whispered in her ear that she had never been in this position before.
"To win a Big East championship," Taylor recalled.
edpaik@syr.edu
"It started off very physical, but I think once we started moving the ball more, they weren't able to come in hard, and if they did it, was after the play and that was where they were getting called," Taylor said.
The physical aspect of the game worked in SU's favor, Bradley said, as the team was able to respond to the Friars' defensive game plan by "bouncing off their bodies."
The Orange came away with 23 shots. Twice, forward Lindsay Conrad drove the ball up the midfield as the Friars continually dropped behind the Syracuse offense to match its speed.
They were opportunities the Orange should have capitalized on, forward Kristin Girouard said, "We just couldn't get the right touch on it."
At times too nervous, at times too excited, the Orange found middle ground by the end - focusing on their own offense, converting on penalties.
"It's the Big East Tournament. Everyone is fighting for their lives, and you've got to go after it," Bradley said. "If you sit back and wait you can be down two goals."
But Taylor, the team captain, spoke to her team the night before about Saturday's game. The Orange faced an elimination match, but she reminded her team the importance of keeping focus and to leave the field with no regrets.
The message? "It settled in," Taylor said.
Coming off the field, SU back Heather Doran hugged the senior captain and whispered in her ear that she had never been in this position before.
"To win a Big East championship," Taylor recalled.
edpaik@syr.edu
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