Clutching their neon orange substitute cards, the Syracuse bench players are always ready, always moving, in anticipation for their seven minutes.

Seven minutes: the length of time head coach Ange Bradley typically rotates reserve players. It may be all the playing time some girls get in a match, but in that time they carry the responsibility of bolstering their coaches fast-paced, quick-strike offense.

‘When you have someone come in on a rotation, they’re fresh, they have a mental attitude that says, ‘I’m working hard for seven minutes,” Bradley said.

In the No. 2 Orange’s (8-0) signature attack, players are constantly moving, pressuring the opposing team’s offense and quickly shifting gears in a dead sprint towards the goal. This produces a need for a talented cycle of forwards and midfielders, each with their own unique skills that keep the Orange organized and on pace.

Tracy Dietrick, a junior forward, is one of the mainstays in the seven-minute rotation. With two years under her belt in Bradley’s offense, Dietrick comes into games fast, but more importantly has the experience to make an immediate impact.

‘Tracy’s just great,’ Bradley said. ‘She works hard, always does her job and stays focused – she’s a tremendous support for the team.’

With a 5-0 lead over New Hampshire on Sunday, Dietrick entered the game and took scope of the situation. After seeing forward Lindsey Conrad take the ball toward the box, Dietrick sprinted along side her teammate, creating space between her and the defenders while giving Conrad a second option.

Conrad made an unexpected cut inside the circle, leaving Dietrick little room and time to work. In a flash, Dietrick shifted back to the other side of Conrad in some empty space, and when Conrad’s run fell short, Dietrick was there for the outlet pass, an open shot and a strong finish.

‘It felt good to get that goal,’ Dietrick said after the game. ‘It was how we played together. We’d been trying to get a good rotation and work that attack.’

Nicole Nelson, a freshman forward, is another one of Bradley’s weapons off the bench. Logging the most time out of any reserve player so far with 268 minutes played, she is valued for her aggressive play on the field.

While best remembered for her game-clinching goal against No. 10 Michigan State, Nelson has provided a spark for her team all season. In both weekend contests against New Hampshire and Maryland, Nelson orchestrated key corner attempts – one of the best scoring opportunities in field hockey – with her speedy play.

Emerging from a pack of opposing players, Nelson could be seen carrying the ball towards the goal, creating one-on-one situations with her and the goalie.

While keeping her eyes on the field, Nelson on multiple occasions took hits from the Maryland and New Hampshire goalkeepers, drawing fouls and giving the Orange much-needed opportunities to score.

‘A lot of it has to do with understanding,’ Nelson said. ‘We have a press, we need to understand that’s really important (for our team).’

Together, the Orange reserve attack consists mainly of midfielder Mariana Vernet and forwards Heather Susek, Brittany Shannon, Nelson and Dietrick. That group has combined for almost 700 minutes of game time, while tallying 20 points off nine goals and two assists.

Bradley sees this year’s team especially as putting complete effort during practice to create a competitive environment. So much so, that it has slightly altered the way she manages her players.

‘I’ve had to coach a little differently than I would have with previous teams just because everybody works at such a high level,’ Bradley said. ‘We did a run (the other day) to see where the people who weren’t playing as much are in their fitness, and they’re way past where they started in August. That’s how much the second group has improved which is really exciting because it just keeps making that first group that much better.’

Bradley sees her reserves as an asset she said will pay dividends down the stretch for a championship.

‘At the end of the day, we all get a ring, and that’s what we’re shooting for,’ Bradley said. ‘Its not going to be whether so and so is the leading scorer, that same persons going to get a ring.’

ctorr@syr.edu

Published on September 23, 2008 at 12:00 pm