Amanda Arcuri cannot shake the memory of the last time Syracuse women's soccer played Williams and Mary.
"Things kind of just didn't go our way," the senior forward said of the 3-0 loss from two years ago. "I got two yellow cards … We just got frustrated and didn't play our best game. Nothing felt right for us."
Arcuri received the two yellow cards within five minutes of one another late in the second half - the only yellow cards of her career. She believes the fouls had an impact on the game, not to mention her personal fate. In soccer, two yellow cards equal a red card, which means automatic suspension.
"With one of the yellow cards, she was just irritated with the situation," assistant coach Robyn Pepicelli said. "I think her second card was a little bit of retaliation."
The Orange will try to redeem itself against William and Mary today at 5 p.m. in the JMU/Comfort Inn Harrisonburg Invitational in Harrisonburg, Va. Syracuse will also play host James Madison on Sunday.
Arcuri isn't the only one that would like to forget about the last meeting with the Tribe.
Former head coach Pat Farmer received a red card for language after arguing with the referee.
Immediately following Farmer's dismissal, William and Mary took a free kick. Eliza Bennett-Hattan, a freshman at the time, was the goalkeeper in what was her first of many career starts.
Bennett-Hattan did not make the save.
"It's always difficult when a coach gets kicked out because you need that calm on the bench," Bennett-Hattan said. "I'll always remember the first time I got scored on. I keep it in the back of my mind."
"You lose focus a little bit when you watch a player and a coach get thrown out of a game," Arcuri added. "I think we did our best not to let outside things affect us, but it's kind of hard when it's happening in your face."
Bennett-Hattan lost her focus in what she referred to as a "freshman mistake." The junior says she has improved mentally and has learned to concentrate solely on soccer during a game.
The momentum entering today's game appears to favor Syracuse. The Tribe is coming off a 3-1 loss to No. 9 Penn State, while the Orange crushed Albany 3-1 in its season opener last weekend.
"I think it's significant," Pepicelli said of William and Mary's season-opener defeat. "As long as you keep things in perspective. I think that's something our team will be good at because of the way they handled their game against Albany. They didn't let the early lead get to them, they stayed focus."
Focus will be an important factor for the Orange today, considering that is what was lost in the 2006 meeting. Syracuse will need to concentrate on its new system; something Pepicelli said is in the Orange's favor. The new structure, which was taught during preseason, has more girls in the midfield meaning more numbers around the ball.
It appears to be working. The three goals scored against Albany marks only the second time since the beginning of the 2006 season that Syracuse has managed to put three in the net.
If things persist, the Orange might have a chance to make the Big East Tournament, an expectation by Pepicelli that has not been a reality since 2005.
But a new system is not the only adjustment leaning the pendulum in Syracuse's direction.
The Orange has officially welcomed its new head coach, Phil Wheddon. Wheddon returned from Beijing, where he worked as the assistant coach for the U.S women's soccer team. He helped lead the U.S. to a 1-0 win over Brazil in the finals.
Despite some adjustments, Syracuse is not fretting over the changes. Pepicelli said the Orange will take it one game at a time, but has high expectations for William and Mary and the season.
Arcuri is just focusing on keeping her cool against the Tribe.
"I actually want to stay in this game," Arcuri laughed. "I'll have to keep my head for this one. We want to get revenge by winning."
amrowley@syr.edu
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