VB | Syracuse creates chances but can't score in 1-0 loss to South Florida

By: Andrew L. John

Posted: 10/13/08

Phil Wheddon was eager to see how his team would respond. After losing two straight road games, Syracuse needed a home game to get back on track. After all, SU hadn't lost at home in six games.

But any possible momentum evaporated nine minutes into the game when South Florida midfielder Gina Pacheo scored from 15 yards out.

The Orange had been nearly perfect at the SU Soccer Stadium this year (it was 4-0-2), but it came to an abrupt end on Friday in front of 136 fans as Wheddon's bunch fell to the Bulls, 1-0. Syracuse made adjustments at halftime, but couldn't finish offensively.

"We talked at halftime about being more organized and that we needed to work more for each other," Wheddon said about allowing the first half goal. "That's the defensive breakdown that has occurred a number of times during the past few weeks.

"Unfortunately, today it cost us the game. We can't allow that breakdown to continue to happen."

The early defensive breakdown was one of only a handful of scoring opportunities given up by the Orange defense. After the goal, the Orange seemed to play with more urgency.

"(After the goal), everyone was stepping up, playing the ball, stepping in front of people, and moving as a group and staying compact," midfielder Sara Grimsgaard said. "It was a real team effort, with multiple players going after the ball and everyone just continually playing hard."

As a result, Syracuse (4-7-2, 1-3-1) dominated the ball for the remainder of the game, outshooting South Florida (7-4-3, 3-3-1), 9-0 in the second half.

The cause for the urgency was due to a move Wheddon made at halftime. Forward Megan Bellingham was the lone forward for the majority of the first half. At halftime, though, Wheddon moved freshman Amanda Morris to forward to play alongside Bellingham. He aimed to alleviate some of the pressure from Bellingham and to use Morris' speed to break down the defense.

The strategy helped SU find shot opportunities, but not the back of the net. Despite the shot advantage in the second half, the Orange found that open looks at the net were difficult to come by. Only three of the shots were from close range.
Nearly all were contested by multiple defenders.

Though the halftime adjustments didn't translate into a win, Wheddon remained positive. He hopes they will pay off during the final stretch of the season. All season long he has stressed the importance of playing consistent soccer, and he said he's starting to see improvement on that front.

"I don't think it's a case of us trying harder, I think it's more a case of us being composed," Wheddon said. "If we weren't creating opportunities, then I'd be concerned. But we've made adjustments to our formation to give us more chances on the offense."

The good news for SU? With the wide range of results in the Big East, there are plenty of games left to make a run and qualify for the Big East tournament.

"Marquette and West Virginia are probably a lock for the Big East tournament," Wheddon said, "but everyone else is still fighting for it. That includes UConn, Rutgers, Seton Hall and Georgetown - all teams which we are about to play. I think if we show up and play with the same heart, and some organization and action, then we'll be fine."

aljohn@syr.edu