It took Syracuse sophomore Courtney Palladino nine months to prove her point. To prove that she wasn’t scared, that she belonged on the field.

On Saturday, her coach got the message.

Palladino scored two goals in the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team’s scrimmage against George Mason at the Carrier Dome on Saturday.

The format of the scrimmage included two 30-minute halves — with the score reset after each half — and an extra 15-minute session where mostly backups played.

Syracuse won the first 30 minutes of the scrimmage, 5-3, and tied the second 30-minute period, 5-5.

Palladino played a large role in Syracuse’s success.

Last year, that would’ve seemed unlikely. Palladino came out of high school as a top recruit, but she suffered a knee injury and lost confidence. This year, Syracuse head coach Lisa Miller told her she had to assume more of a leadership role.

Miller told Palladino to take control of the offense, be a playcaller and a leader.

Against George Mason, she proved she was up to the task.

The Orangewomen — anxious to stop merely practicing against one another — handled the Patriots.

Palladino’s effort at midfield pleased Miller the most.

‘She started to lose confidence a little last year but she had a great offseason,” Miller said. “I don’t want to put pressure on her, though.’

Perhaps it was the pressure last year that caused so many problems.

Palladino, a high school All-American, scored a goal in her first collegiate game, against Stanford, building high expectations.

She scored four more goals the rest of the season and didn’t register an assist.

‘I was nervous last year,” Palladino said. “I definitely wasn’t as confident as I am now. It’s been a complete 180. (Now), I’m that person to take control. Lisa’s looking at me for leadership.’

Though Miller praised Palladino and the rest of the Orangewomen, the coach sees room for improvement. While SU’s offense executed almost flawlessly in the first half, it stalled in the second.

Dropped passes marred the Orangewomen’s offense. The poor play carried over to the defensive end, where they yielded two more goals than they did in the first half.

The defense, though, limited George Mason senior Jill Toomey to three goals.

Sophomore Monica Joines led the Orangewomen with three goals. Senior Jessica Trombley registered two goals and one assist.

Before their regular-season opener, March 1 against Virginia, the Orangewomen scrimmage Pennsylvania on Feb. 22.

Last year, the Orangewomen escaped Charlottesville with their first-ever victory over Virginia.

‘I’m definitely looking forward to them,’ senior captain Ellen Rust said. ‘Hopefully, we can try to recapture a win this year.’

Published on February 8, 2003 at 12:00 pm