The 2003 Syracuse field hockey team can currently boast one statistic that no other Orangewomen squad from the past 15 years can match: starting conference play with two consecutive losses.

With its 3-1 loss to No. 18 Boston College on Sunday afternoon, Syracuse has an 0-2 conference record for the first time in its 15-year Big East history.

Syracuse is now staring at the daunting challenge of qualifying for a postseason tournament, which it’s never missed. The Orangewomen are the only team to advance to all 14 Big East tournaments. But this might be the year that finally changes.

All of it will make for an interesting week of practices leading up to Friday’s 7 p.m. game against Massachusetts at Coyne Field.

‘It doesn’t matter who we’re playing,’ Syracuse head coach Kathleen Parker said. ‘Whether it’s UMass or Villanova – we just need to work on improving our performance.’

Most likely, SU will need to win at least two of its final three conference games to qualify for the postseason. Right now, the Orangewomen sit in last place in the six-team conference. They’re also the only team under .500, with a 3-6 overall record.

Parker, though, isn’t looking ahead to conference play. After losing three consecutive games, she’s more concerned with having her team play a complete game than worry about the opponent.

In particular, Parker is most concerned with her team’s ball-handling and communication.

Over its past three games, SU has been outscored, 8-2. Its lone goal against BC came off the stick of defensive back Michelle Sola. It was the sophomore’s first goal of the year, but it illustrated the scoring problems that have plagued SU. With the exception of their 8-1 win over Albany on Sept. 10, the Orangewomen have been outscored, 21-12, on the year.

While SU struggles, Boston College head coach Sherren Granese has positioned her team into a first-place tie in the Big East with three consecutive wins. Sophomore Sara York had two goals to lead the Eagles (6-3, 2-0 Big East), though the second one came with six seconds left to put the game away.

‘We did a nice job of possessing the ball and creating opportunities,’ Granese said. ‘We played well together as a team and forced Syracuse to make some mistakes.’

BC also stands at 2-0 in the conference, which is something that has Granese breathing a sigh of relief with three conference games remaining, two of which are on the road.

‘It’s a big relief for us,’ Granese said.

Granese can still sympathize, though, with the plight of the Orangewomen.

‘It’s really tough, but they were in a similar situation last year,’ Granese said. ‘They’ll come back and put it together.’

Then, Granese looked at SU’s Big East schedule and noticed only powers Connecticut and Villanova, along with Providence, remained.

‘Oh,’ she said. ‘They have a tough schedule.’

Published on September 29, 2003 at 12:00 pm