Immediately after Syracuse midfielder Bridget Daley scored her second goal of Syracuse’s NCAA quarterfinal against Boston College, she leapt right into the arms of fellow senior Alyssa Murray.

The two form one of the closest duos in the Orange’s lineup, and Daley said she has joked that Murray should be the one to assist on any goal she scores through the rest of the season. Against the Eagles, their chemistry on the field led to a special moment of celebration that seemed highly unlikely during the early part of the season.

“I was just wide open on that cut, and she found me,” Daley said. “By that point, we were in control and I just ran to her. It’s those little moments in a game where you really build confidence for the rest of the way.”

Daley has played with plenty of confidence since returning from a broken left foot in April. The fifth-year senior has become an all-around contributor for the Orange, picking up three goals and six draw controls during the first two games of the NCAA tournament.

She’ll look to finish her college career on a high note when second-seeded Syracuse (20-2, 6-1 Atlantic Coast) battles fellow ACC squad and No. 6-seed Virginia (12-8, 3-4), in Friday’s 5 p.m. national semifinal game in Towson, Md.

For Daley and a senior class that reached the semifinals the past two seasons before falling short both times, she said this is the most important week of their college tenures. SU is in search of its first-ever title in women’s lacrosse or any women’s team sport.

“For me, it’s my fourth final four, and I’m not just going to settle for going or second place,” Daley said. “We’re here to win it all.”

With Daley’s help, that appears to be a very reachable goal, especially now that she’s trying to make up for lost time. The senior is still trying to make the most of her tumultuous 2014 season, which hit rock bottom when she suffered the break against Stetson on January 24.

But Daley never doubted that she would be back in the lineup, especially with another playoff run at stake. She said that was all the motivation she needed to fight through any physical or emotional pain.

“Now, every second I get to play, it’s that much sweeter,” she said.

Along the way, Daley has led with both her voice and performance on the field. She admits she’s not a pure goal scorer, so she prides herself on winning the hustle plays: backups behind the net, scrums for loose draws and groundball battles between the 30-yard lines.

Against BC, she picked up four draw controls, including the effective clincher with 1:09 left.

Murray said the team needs Daley for that reason, adding that she “works her butt off” on every play.

“No matter if she’s going to get recognition for it, or if no one’s going to notice anything that she’s doing,” Murray said. “It’s just because she’s a great teammate.”

She does the same in her preparation, which SU head coach Gary Gait said is just as important to her success. Her work ethic is infectious to other players, including younger ones who might be afraid to trust themselves.

“She’s always brought the energy and enthusiasm to each game and practice,” Gait said. “She continues to get better every day, and she means so much to this team.”

Daley partly disagreed, saying that the Orange would be in its current position with or without her. If nothing else, she said watching the entire team progress through the season has made this spring enjoyable.

Although a national championship would put it over the top, she said just being a part of one of the best teams in program history has made 2014 one of the best years of her life.

Mostly, it’s because of all those “little moments.” Now, she has one more chance to celebrate what could potentially be the biggest moment in Syracuse history.

“It’s still up there as the best one, despite everything that’s happened,” Daley said. “I don’t regret coming back whatsoever.

“I think I learned a bunch about myself, and got even closer to a great group of girls.”

Published on May 22, 2014 at 9:44 pm