Three games into its Atlantic Coast Conference schedule and Syracuse (6-2, 1-2 Atlantic Coast) can pinpoint what has been different about its new stomping grounds.

Coming from the Big East, in which it thrived a season ago, to the ACC, the play is noticeably faster.

“If I had to pick the biggest different this season it’s the speed in conference play,” sophomore defender Brandon Albert said. “We just need to learn to keep up with the pace, and so far we’re doing a good job.”

Syracuse is hot heading into its next conference test against Virginia (3-3-1, 0-2-1) at SU Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday night. Winners of its last three games, the Orange will use the game as another way to get acclimated to a foreign form of play.

“I think we’ve done a good job in the conference,” head coach Ian McIntyre said. “The pace of play is certainly faster, and we’re seeing that more with each game. But I think the team is doing well adapting.”

Coming off a monumental season in 2012, the Orange has had its most frustrating results in the ACC thus far. Its only losing decisions have come in the conference — against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame — and it has given up six goals in ACC play and just one in non-conference play.

With a 2-1 win against Duke in Durham, N.C., at the end of last week, SU could be finding its stride. But for a young team wading into a new scene, the transition hasn’t exactly been seamless.

“We need to play better as a team, like collectively,” sophomore midfielder Stefanos Stamoulacatos said. “We’re doing well but could do better all around as a team.”

Stamoulacatos did say that the team has thrived with its combination play, and feels confident that the team can create chances by stringing together one-two passes in the attacking third.

But playing as a cohesive unit across all positions isn’t a small order. SU started four freshmen — Oyvind Alseth, Alex Halis, Emil Ekblom and Chris Nanco — in its 3-0 win against Massachusetts on Wednesday night, and freshman Mike Koegel also received playing time. Additionally, Skylar Thomas and Tyler Hilliard, two integral parts of McIntyre’s defense, have been sidelined with injuries.

Yet the season goes on and so far, SU has put itself in position for a year that could complement last season’s successes. After the Cavaliers, the Orange hosts Binghamton then faces four straight conference opponents.

Virginia is an unranked, mid-level ACC team that will give the Orange a good idea of where it stands in the early going.

McIntyre is excited to find out in the near future if his young squad can swim as fast as the current is taking it.

“We’re still young, don’t forget that,” McIntyre said. “We’re progressing and I like what I’ve been seeing. It’s going to be interesting all season.”

Published on September 28, 2013 at 5:19 pm

Contact Jesse: [email protected] | @dougherty_jesse