Spring Break
The Daily OrangeIn 2nd season, Wheddon taking global approach to recruiting
By David F. Baer
Posted: 9/24/09, 2:15 AM EST Section: Sports
Eight U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, two European countries and one head coach whose experiences span the globe: Meet the 2009 Syracuse women's soccer team.
Kayla Alfonso and Tina Romagnuolo represent Ontario, Canada. Laura Jackson hails from England. And Patricia Lind made the journey from Sweden to Syracuse. Of the eleven freshmen on the Orange's roster, four of them are from outside the United States.
Regardless of where they come from, Syracuse's international freshmen have stepped off the plane and into the spotlight. They are a major reason why the Orange (3-4-2) has shown improvement after a disappointing 2008 season, as they continue to adjust to a different culture.
"The mentality, I must say, has been the biggest difference," Lind said. "Everyone here is so athletic in every single way. If you are doing one sport in Sweden or Europe, it's more like you are good at that one sport. Also, you don't see soccer so much in the media here, which I'm used to."
The way the international players approach and play the game is different from what their American teammates are accustomed to, Lind said. It's a slower, more technical game in Europe, and European players are more physical than their counterparts competing in the States.
This difference has been something that Lind, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, noticed right away and has not grown accustomed to yet.
"It's more physical back home," she said. "I kind of miss it because it's one of my strengths. I get so mad at the referees sometimes, but I know that I can't say anything bad though. It's just so irritating because I don't even go 50 percent, and I get called for a foul for nothing. I'm like, 'What is this?'"
But even while trying to make the adjustment to a new culture and a new style of play, SU's freshman class has stepped in nicely. Romagnuolo leads the Orange with eight points, including four of its five goals so far this year.
Romagnuolo, who redshirted last season to play for Canada's under-20 national team, has also noticed the difference between soccer internationally and in the Big East.
Kayla Alfonso and Tina Romagnuolo represent Ontario, Canada. Laura Jackson hails from England. And Patricia Lind made the journey from Sweden to Syracuse. Of the eleven freshmen on the Orange's roster, four of them are from outside the United States.
Regardless of where they come from, Syracuse's international freshmen have stepped off the plane and into the spotlight. They are a major reason why the Orange (3-4-2) has shown improvement after a disappointing 2008 season, as they continue to adjust to a different culture.
"The mentality, I must say, has been the biggest difference," Lind said. "Everyone here is so athletic in every single way. If you are doing one sport in Sweden or Europe, it's more like you are good at that one sport. Also, you don't see soccer so much in the media here, which I'm used to."
The way the international players approach and play the game is different from what their American teammates are accustomed to, Lind said. It's a slower, more technical game in Europe, and European players are more physical than their counterparts competing in the States.
This difference has been something that Lind, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, noticed right away and has not grown accustomed to yet.
"It's more physical back home," she said. "I kind of miss it because it's one of my strengths. I get so mad at the referees sometimes, but I know that I can't say anything bad though. It's just so irritating because I don't even go 50 percent, and I get called for a foul for nothing. I'm like, 'What is this?'"
But even while trying to make the adjustment to a new culture and a new style of play, SU's freshman class has stepped in nicely. Romagnuolo leads the Orange with eight points, including four of its five goals so far this year.
Romagnuolo, who redshirted last season to play for Canada's under-20 national team, has also noticed the difference between soccer internationally and in the Big East.
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