Oct. 11, 2008

by Meredith Galante, Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- After just three days of practice in September, the 2008-09 U.S. women's national team played together for the first time in uniform Saturday. The results were mixed.

The positive: during the first eight minutes, Team USA managed eight goals on eight possessions.

The negative: the U.S. allowed Syracuse to score double digits, a feat rarely accomplished against Team USA.

The U.S. went on to defeat Syracuse, 18-10, in the main event of the third-annual US Lacrosse Stars and Stripes Weekend at the Carrier Dome.

"We play a very high pressure defense," said Duke's Caroline Cryer, one of 48 finalists vying this weekend for a spot on the 2009 World Cup training team. "Syracuse really picked apart some of the holes we had, and it was a great learning experience."

Cryer led the U.S. effort with three goals. She had help from Sarah Albrecht (Northwestern), who scored two goals.

After Saturday's matchup against the Orange and international exhibitions Sunday, Team USA will cut its roster from 48 to 24 players. The new 24 will play with the Elite team, and the remaining will play for the Developmental team.

"I try not to think of my play in terms of being selected for one team or another," Cryer, an attacker, said. "Right now I think we are all just trying to go out there and do what the coaches want us to."

After the U.S. broke out to an 8-0 lead in the first half, Syracuse could not answer. Nine minutes into the game, Sarah Sedgwick finally connected for the Orange, scoring SU's first goal.

During each possession in the first half, the U.S. dominated the Orange. Both teams were playing their third game of the day, but the U.S. did not show it. The U.S. had a deeper roster than Syracuse and was able to substitute constantly.

"There's a lot of new faces on our roster," said Team USA midfielder Katie Crest (Duke). "It's easy to get caught up in thinking about getting cut to the Developmental team, but we tried to have fun and just go out there play our game and focus on our plays."

Eleven players contributed to Team USA's 18 goals, each player trying to make a name for herself before the selections.

U.S. head coach Sue Heether said she expected smarter decisions from her team. Despite scoring in its all of its first eight possessions, Heether wanted more.

"I was disappointed in the maturity level of our team and the decision making ability," Heether said. "I expected even more possession from us. We didn't control the tempo."

Heether said Team USA was slow on its feet in the second half, allowing the Orange to bounce back and score five goals.

Team USA outshot Syracuse 39-22 in the contest, but Heether was unpleased with draw controls and the amount of shots the U.S. allowed Syracuse to take.

"We were trying to use energy as our advantage," Chrest said. "It's great that so many girls scored, but we were tired, and so was Syracuse. It was a long day."

Quillinan, Dove, Rowan suit up for 'Cuse

Team USA had the chance to see how it could play against three of its own players Saturday at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse's Halley Quillinan, Christina Dove and Katie Rowan.

Quillinan and Rowan threatened the U.S. most. Quillinan scored one goal and added an assist; Rowan tallied three goals and two assists.

"It feels really great to play well offensively," Quillinan said. "We really just wanted to be confident with the ball, and I think we accomplished that."

Syracuse made its first NCAA semifinal appearance in the program's history last season. The Orange rose to a No. 2 national ranking, the highest in school history, going 18-3 and 5-0 in conference play in Syracuse head coach Gary Gait's first season.

SU goalie Liz Hogan was the last player cut from the U.S. World Cup player pool, but even Heether questioned the decision to cut Hogan after she made some impressive saves.

Quillinan, Dove and Rowan played on the Team USA roster earlier in the day when the U.S. faced Cornell and Vermont. When it was time for Syracuse to take on the national squad, however, the trio returned to the home team's roster.

"I think the world of the three of them as players," Cryer said. "It was a bummer to see them on the other side, but they are already implementing what they got from the U.S. and taking it to their team. They were the three that were killing us, it was bittersweet."

Heether praised Syracuse for fighting for possession and running up and down the field with the U.S.

"Syracuse is not scared," Heether said. "They had confidence and shoved it right down our throats constantly."