Jess Jecko didn’t get too many opportunities to showcase her ability in the Orange’s 1-0 win over Ohio State on Sunday. The Buckeyes didn’t even take a shot in her direction all second half.

She may not have been the hero on Sunday, but her presence captaining the SU defense has had a large hand in Syracuse’s early-season success.

“She’s like a quarterback of a football team,” Syracuse head coach Ange Bradley said. “She just watches team’s offenses. ‘Can I get their 25-yard entries, can I get their corners’. She really studies the game to help her understand how to move the defense.”

Jecko allowed just one goal for the Orange this weekend. In Friday’s 2-1 win over No. 7 Massachusetts, two open players for the Minutewomen caused Jecko to leave her positioning. An open-net deflection was the only score for UMass.

She was able to redeem herself later in the game, when Jecko had a crucial kick save with just under 12 minutes to play on a penalty corner by UMass’ Brooke Sabia.

“It felt really good getting that last save,” Jecko said. “I was definitely really excited for it. We had been practicing their corners the whole week. So when they got one, we were ready for it.”

The sophomore is allowing just 1.00 goal per game, which is tied for eighth in the nation. Sunday was her second shutout of the season. No opponent has gotten the ball past her more than twice.

Jecko has started and played the entirety of every game for the Orange so far. That wasn’t the case last season, however, when she backed up then-senior Leann Stiver.

Jecko said she’s worked hard all year to get to this point.

“Last spring I realized, ‘This is my time, I’m the goalie, this is my time to grow,’” Jecko said. “But now, coming in, I was pretty relaxed. Ange did a really good job of preparing me for this season, and the team really helped me grow.”

One of the big reasons for Jecko’s success has been the presence of a high-powered physical offense to keep control of possession. Syracuse came into the weekend seventh in the country with 4.75 goals per game.

“A lot of it is mental toughness,” freshman forward Serra Degnan said. “You have to be willing to body up on a girl. You let no one step on this field without knowing your presence.”

Syracuse’s offensive toughness played a key role in holding UMass to one shot in the first half, along with no shots of the Buckeyes in the second half. The offense hasn’t let their opponents get too many touches.

Bradley said that same mental toughness has turned Jecko into a leader for SU.

“I see a lot of maturity, and growing up quickly,” Bradley said. ”She’s worked harder than anybody in the offseason, in the spring, in the summer, watching video of opponents. Jess is really doing a great job leading herself, and I see her being a great leader for Syracuse.”

Published on September 16, 2013 at 1:10 am

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3