This year is just different for Eileen Finn. The senior defender senses something more about this year’s Syracuse women’s lacrosse team.

The midfield is stronger. The defense is peskier. The attack has a multitude of scoring options.

It all adds up to the fact that Finn feels the ninth-ranked Orange has a more balanced team than it has in years past.

But even with all of that, Finn realizes something else. In her last go-round, if the Orange is to make a serious push for the final four, there is one more thing it has to do. Rather, one more thing it can’t do. Syracuse can’t afford to be stagnant on one side of the ball and expect to win.

‘Everything has bumped up a notch this year,’ Finn said. ‘But definitely our defense in terms of communication has really taken it upon itself to talk to each other. And the attackers haven’t necessarily gotten better but have balanced out so that you can’t pinpoint one or two people on our attack anymore. All seven people are a threat to score every time.’

The Syracuse attack has been its clear-cut strength over the last several years. With ex-Syracuse star and current volunteer assistant Katie Rowan complimenting senior attack Halley Quillinan and senior midfielder Christina Dove, the Orange in the last few seasons were never hard-pressed to put goals on the board.

But at times, the defense and midfield struggled, exposing weaknesses that ended SU’s seasons prematurely.

Such weaknesses, despite the loss of senior defender Lindsay Rogers, seem to be less of an issue this season.

‘To be honest I don’t think that our midfield has been what it is this year,’ Quillinan said. ‘Our midfield has been doing a great job off the draw controls and off the ground balls. We have improved in both of those categories. And I think defensively we are a more senior-led defense this year, which is rare in reference to years past. All over the field we’ve really stepped our game up, including the attack.’

Much of Syracuse’s newfound balance, the team says, is attributed to personal dedication and a renewed sense of motivation.

Despite three highly successful seasons, this current crop of seniors has endured three consecutive early exits in the NCAA tournament.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking end to a season came in 2008, when the 18-2 Orange fell to No. 1 Northwestern in the final four.

Realizing that it is the group’s last chance to achieve the highest level of NCAA glory, the upperclassmen say they trained harder in the offseason. They fine-tuned their games. After three seasons, these players are fully aware of what they need to do in order to become complete players.

‘I think a lot of people coming into this season were obviously disappointed with the past few years and want to keep going further,’ Finn said. ‘So everyone took it upon themselves to improve their personal game in the offseason. They came back ready to go. So I think that each person individually raising their level has made us an all-around great team.’

For Syracuse to be dangerous both offensively and defensively, it is imperative that the players take that extra step in their workout and practice regimens. Finn and the other seniors have attempted to ingrain that.

But the seniors also acknowledge that it also takes more than that. It takes a certain kind of mentality – a core philosophy that must go beyond flashy passes and dynamic goals.

‘We focus on all areas of the game,’ Gait said. ‘The difference is that we have a lot more seniors and upperclassmen playing on the defensive end of the field, and I think that’s really helped us.’

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Published on April 7, 2010 at 12:00 pm