Syracuse goalie Carla Gigon looked bored on Sunday in the Carrier Dome.

For most of the first half against Massachusetts, Gigon stood alone in the Syracuse backfield. Her statuesque demeanor was always the same: three yards in front of the crease, hands to her sides and stick resting horizontally across her body.

The Minutewomen never threatened her tranquility, but when they did, Gigon withstood the UMass shots. She had six saves to lead the No. 8 Syracuse women’s lacrosse team past the Minutewomen, 8-5, yesterday afternoon. Syracuse also beat Boston College, 14-6, on Friday at the Carrier Dome. Gigon also saved six shots in that game.

Yesterday’s score made the game appear closer than it was. Gigon held the Minutewomen to one goal on three shots in the first half but wasn’t disappointed by the lack of action.

‘I don’t mind that at all,’ Gigon said. “That’s a good sign.’

The five goals allowed by Syracuse was a season low. Of course, the Orangewomen’s eight goals scored was their third-lowest output of the season.

All season, the Orangewomen (4-2, 2-1 Big East) struggled with their motion offense. It’s a system they have yet to grasp.

Syracuse head coach Lisa Miller wasn’t pleased.

‘We were inspired against BC, but (yesterday) we were flat,’ Miller said. ‘We’re looking for a team that can run a motion offense. We’re also looking for consistency.’

Despite the lack of team consistency, the Orangewomen’s most consistent player led them yesterday.

Midfielder Leigh-Ann Zimmer scored twice to extend her scoring streak to 29 games. Her second-half goal yesterday launched her into third on Syracuse’s career list, with 91. Zimmer registered a career-high six points (four goals, two assists) in Friday’s win over Boston College.

But after yesterday’s game, the main concern was the Orangewomen’s offensive struggles.

‘It looked like we were coming together at BC,’ freshman midfielder Stephanie Walker said. ‘Then we have another falter. We’ve been working on it and working on it, but you can only work on it so much.’

In an effort to jumpstart SU’s offense, Miller shuffled the starting lineup against Boston College. Miller sat midfielder Courtney Palladino, captain Erin MacDonald and second-leading goal-scorer Danielle Lillis. Miller also used the revised lineup yesterday.

Miller said she expects more changes in the starting lineups. Meanwhile, she’ll look for a starting unit that can run her complex motion offense.

‘We’ve got to keep working on it,’ Miller said. ‘And we’ve got to fix (the problems).’

Gigon, for one, isn’t worried about the changed lineup.

‘We’ve got a great bench,’ Gigon said. ‘There are kids on the bench that could be out starting, but you can only start 11 kids.’

Gigon will certainly remain a starter. She said in addition to the offensive shortcomings, Syracuse must play with more intensity.

‘We need more emotion, more fire,’ Gigon said. ‘We’ve been real quiet lately.’

Of course, when Gigon’s quiet and in her familiar statuesque stance, it’s usually a good thing.

‘I’m always watching the attack or getting ready if there’s a turnover,’ Gigon said. ‘I like to stay focused down by my cage.’

Published on March 23, 2003 at 12:00 pm