Asa Goldstock stood at the 20-yard line with both hands on her hips. She watched Syracuse’s offense patiently move the ball back and forth. Except Goldstock had her back to the action, turned away from the ball and she watched on the big screen behind her net.

As Megan Carney darted across the 8-meter arc before rifling a shot into the top right corner of the cage, Goldstock turned and watched her teammates’ relatively muted celebrations. It was the Binghamton defenders’ turn to have their hands on hips, with Carney’s goal giving the Orange a 10-0 lead. The Bearcats hadn’t even recorded a shot yet, and they wouldn’t for the entire first half.

“I can’t ever remember a time looking up, walking into halftime and seeing zero shots on goal, or zero shots,” head coach Gary Gait said.

While the defense held Binghamton to just five shots, the offense led the way for Syracuse (3-1). The Bearcats (0-2) couldn’t contain Carney, Emily Hawryschuk or any Orange attacker as SU cruised to a 20-2 victory. A 15-0 halftime lead could’ve been even larger — with three shots for Syracuse hitting the post — but the Orange were content to pass and probe around the 12-meter arc until an attack came open.

After last Monday’s loss to Stony Brook, players and coaches stressed the need to play a complete game on offense, with energy and communication lapses mitigating the Orange’s comeback attempt. With two wins in two days, Syracuse’s offense, led once again by Hawryschuk’s game-high six goals, found its form.

“I think from the beginning I asked the team to make that extra pass, communicate better, let the player know you’re open, where you are on the field and help each other out,” Gait said. “I thought they did a much better job today.”

Hawryschuk began the scoring spree just three-and-a-half minutes in. After she was hauled down by two Bearcat defenders, Hawryschuk took a sidearm shot right after the referee’s whistle, bouncing the ball under the unsuspecting Binghamton goalie. Through its first three games, Syracuse had been inconsistent from free positions, with shots frequently flying wide or over the cage. But against the Bearcats, the Orange converted.

For Hawryschuk, being less wasteful from free positions was something she’s worked on with Gait since missing two opportunities in the season opener against Canisius, she said. Though she did score one free position by charging the goal against the Bearcats, Hawryschuk said she prefers to shoot directly after the whistle.

“I don’t run it in a lot, so it’s something that I focus on,” Hawryschuk said, “just being able to focus in and place the ball.”

Early on, Syracuse played at a slower pace, dominated possession and looked for open cutters. During one sequence, the Orange fired quick passes back and forth from the left wing to the post until Vanessa Costantino found freshman Emma Tyrrell alone next to the crease — who scored her second goal in as many games.

When Syracuse’s lead extended to three, Sierra Cockerille found Morgan Alexander wide open in front of the crease. With her back to the goal, Alexander collected the pass and, without looking, tossed the ball over her left shoulder.

Not every Orange goal came from the intricate, slow-paced offense. Starting in her own half, Sarah Cooper made a rare foray across midfield, carrying the ball to the 30-yard line before dumping it to Costantino. She quickly found Cara Quimby, who then moved the ball to a wide-open Carney.

In the second half, Goldstock was allowed to watch from the sidelines, as Hannah Van Middelem replaced her for most of the half, and third-string goalie Lauren Avery played the final two minutes. Though Binghamton scored on its first shot, eight minutes into the second half, the Orange still dominated — even as reserve players got chances to play.

“I think they got 25 minutes, the attack and the D,” Gait said. “So, it was great, and that’s just when the team pulls together and they play unselfishly, it allows us opportunities for everyone to get some quality minutes.”

The Syracuse defense has allowed just five goals in its last 120 minutes of play. A more cohesive offense has led to fewer possessions for SU’s opponents. And against the Bearcats, the Orange were rarely wasteful.

Published on February 16, 2020 at 10:06 pm

Contact Alex: athamer@syr.edu