WLAX | SU gets back creativity, confidence missing against Virginia

By: Christopher James

Posted: 3/5/08

Streaking down the field on a breakaway, Syracuse's Kristin Brady received a pass from Christina Dove and whipped a behind-the-back shot into the back of the net.

The score in the final minute of the first half made it 14-1, part of No. 6 Syracuse's domination of Binghamton, 22-8, Tuesday night at the Carrier Dome. It was the second time in three games Brady pulled off a spectacular goal.

The Orange got back to a loose, comfortable style of play against another inferior opponent following Saturday's hiccup at No. 2 Virginia. Brady's goal highlighted an all-Syracuse first half, coming just minutes after she had attempted the same shot, but missed the cage.

"It was me and the goalie," Brady said. "I thought, 'What the heck?' so I just threw it. … You got to go for it, right?"

The aggressive, risk-taking style was in contrast to the tense way Syracuse head coach Gary Gait said his team played three days before, when SU played tentatively in a 13-8 loss to Virginia. A big reason for SU's free-wheeling play was the fact it was able to get out to an early lead.

Less than five minutes into the game, sophomore Breanna Stiff swiped at Beth Moore's stick, grabbing the ball away and breaking into the Bearcats' end. Moments later, an Awehiyo Thomas goal made it 3-0.

Just three minutes later, Stiff, who replaced the injured Bridget Looney, grabbed another of her four ground balls off an errant pass by Binghamton goalie Sandra Alvarez. The turnover quickly led to a Meg Mosenson goal and a 4-0 advantage.

"We missed (Looney) tonight," Stiff said. "But that just means we are all going to have to work ten times harder."

The hard work paid off as SU forced Binghamton into 22 turnovers, 17 coming in the first half. And as the confidence built, the Orange took more chances.

With five minutes to play, Alvarez crept up the field with the ball, trying to clear for the Bearcats. Gait screamed from the sidelines for his players to attack the unmarked Alvarez. Pressure from the Orange led to a quick turnover and a wide-open goal for Elise Terracciano.

"I thought in the first half we did a great job riding them," Gait said. "Then, we got a little lax in the second half and we weren't marking up and we were leaving players deep."

While Brady said she saw her team be more aggressive against the Bearcats, she admitted the need for improvement. Gait said he's still urging his team to try some of the risky maneuvers he focuses on in practice. The coach seemed a little exasperated in trying to get his team to try out the skills Brady has showcased in her last two home games.

"I tried to get them to throw some more fakes," Gait said. "(Then) they'd be comfortable pulling them off in big games. They're capable of doing a lot more than they show, and they're just not trusting in it yet."

Brady is clearly not afraid to try out new moves no matter the situation. She said she expects to see some of her teammates switch up their shot attempts as everyone becomes more comfortable.

Gait was happy with the performance, but he continued to emphasize how important it was to keep taking risks. If they do it now, Gait can see his players being able to replicate the feats against top teams like Virginia.

"It's easy being loose when you're up 8-0," Gait said. "They easily could've been up 15-0 if they finished on their shots and just relaxed more…and shoot the way we practice shooting."

chjames@syr.edu