Midseason Grades for Syracuse Women’s Soccer

By Trey Redfield

CitrusTV’s Women’s Soccer Beat Reporter

The “Week of Death” is officially in the rear view mirror for Syracuse Women’s Soccer. The Orange, dropping both their games to No. 1 North Carolina and No. 5 Duke, have still been unable to put up a goal. 

As Nicky Adams’ squad has reached the halfway point of the season, there is still a lot to talk about. There’s been great goalkeeping by Lysianne Proulx, the defense is holding its ground, and the offense still cannot find the back of the net. With all that in mind, here are my midseason grades and awards for Syracuse Women’s Soccer.

Goalkeeping: A

You always have to start out with the good, and that is exactly what Lysianne Proulx has been this season. In just five games played, Proulx has put up 47 saves for the Orange, putting her second in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Plus, the senior is making 9.4 saves per game, putting up ten or more saves in three of her five games. It doesn’t stop there. The Montreal native notched a new career high on Thursday night against North Carolina, putting up 14 saves. The mark puts her in third place for the most saves in a single game in program history. Her teammate, Jenna Tivnan said it best.

“We’re so lucky to have her,” she said. “She saves our butt in a lot of games.”

If you had to bet on who would be the most valuable player on this team, the clear cut favorite would be Lysianne Proulx.

Defense: C-

The defense has held their ground this season. The offensive attacks that they have gone up against are some of the strongest in the nation, in North Carolina, Duke, and Louisville. While they rank second in goals allowed per game at 2.86, they sit at the middle to lower half in total goals allowed with 13. But, there have been many faults. If it were not for Lysianne Proulx, this defense would look even worse. Plus, they have got to find a way to establish a better offensive production. Something they did well against North Carolina, especially in the second half, was push their backs on their wings to create more chances. Moving into the second half of the year, this could be the key to winning a game or two.

Offense: F

We all knew this was coming. This offense has been the biggest question mark this season for the Orange. They had their closest opportunity this past Sunday, off of Meghan Root’s penalty kick that was blocked. Five games in, Nicky Adams and her squad are still unable to figure it out. They are the only team in the Atlantic Coast Conference to still have a goose-egg in the goals and assists column. On top of that, they are tied for last in shots with 31. Along with that, they are third-to-last in shots on goal with only 18. To wrap it all up, they are second-to-last in the conference with 6.20 saves per game. Who are they in between? Miami and Thursday’s opponent, Boston College. If they want to improve their grade, they will have to start on Thursday night. 

Luckily enough for two of these three groups, these are only midseason grades. There are still four games left on the schedule. The first game of the remaining four is at home versus Boston College. The Eagles and the Orange are two of the three teams that are still winless in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Stay locked to my Twitter @Trey_Redfield to see who comes out on top. Kick-off is set for seven o’clock.

dwredfie@syr.edu | @Trey_Redfield