Boston University’s Amanda Cassera watched a pass loft high over the heads of every Syracuse defender, scooped it up and bolted toward the net. Jess Jecko knew she had a clear path and called to midfielder Alyssa Manley over to help.

Manley shot toward the streaking BU forward, reached out with her stick and poked away the ball before Cassera even entered the circle. Possession changed hands with 30:10 remaining in the first half, Syracuse moved back up the field and Jecko didn’t even need to move.

“That was beautiful,” Jecko said. “… When they make a play like that, I just get to relax and breathe because if (Cassera) comes in, it would’ve been a one-v-one and it’s anyone’s play there.”

Jecko didn’t see much action in net Sunday as No. 2 Syracuse (9-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast) defeated No. 17 Boston University (6-3, 2-0 Patriot), 5-1, at J.S. Coyne Stadium behind an impressive defensive effort in which the Terriers were limited to seven shots – four on goal – and one penalty corner. But when BU did push up the field offensively, the defense made plays by reshaping its back line, relying on offensive possession, and sinking midfielders into the defensive zone.

Roos Weers, Lies Lagerweij and Zoe Wilson formed the back line of the defense that only allowed BU two shots in the first half and was practically impenetrable.

A few minutes after Cassera had her chance poked away by Manley, BU’s Grace Boston also slipped behind the SU defense. Weers recovered, slid over to her right to catch her and knocked the ball out of bounds to neutralize the potential scoring threat.

“We kept really good counter structure to be able to help limit them,” head coach Ange Bradley said. “They did have some really good chances in the first half.”

Coming out of halftime, the Terriers failed to hold possession in their own offensive quarter until nearly ten minutes expired.

Down 3-0 and with just over 20 minutes remaining in play, BU head coach Sally Starr called a timeout. She gestured down the field with her arms, imploring her players to push forward.

Out of the timeout, the Terriers pushed down the field by working the ball around the back and then up the field. The pressure was on for what felt like the first time, Lagerweij said, but the defense held up time and again.

“I think there were only two shots on goal and that’s all due to the defense,” Jecko said. “Stepping up, intercepting, outletting the ball well and making smart plays – there’s nothing that they didn’t do well today.”

BU’s Sofi Laurito charged into the teeth of the defense four times throughout the second half, but despite consistently finding the circle, the Orange held her to one shot by collapsing midfielders and reshaping the backs.

SU did slip up once rotating, allowing the Terriers to score with four minutes left, spoiling what would’ve been Jecko’s fourth shutout of the season.

It was the only blemish for Syracuse on a game that was almost seamless throughout.

“Our keeper deserved a shutout. The defense deserved the shutout tonight,” Lagerweij said. “It’s annoying to have that unnecessary goal ruin what was one of our best performances defensively.”

Published on September 27, 2015 at 6:32 pm

Contact Liam: lpsull01@syr.edu