Lauren DeCarlo was just ‘stopping by’ Syracuse when looking at potential colleges where she could play soccer.

She didn’t really have the intention or desire to play soccer at Syracuse. She thought a Division-III program would suit her better. But on a trip to Colgate to check out its women’s soccer program, she decided to make a pit stop at Syracuse.

Once she stepped on SU’s campus, her plans changed.

‘I always thought I wanted to play soccer at a small D-III school,’ DeCarlo said. ‘But then I came here and I realized that I wanted something with bigger sports, more people, a bigger campus. So then once I visited, I kind of stepped in, and I’m glad I did.’

From that moment, DeCarlo wanted to be a part of the Orange, even if it meant she had to walk on to the team. Although it was risky going out for a team she didn’t have a reserved spot on, the walk-on has transcended into a regular contributor in her second season. She scored a game-winning goal for Syracuse — the first of her career — in SU’s Big East opener against Providence on Sept. 18 and has played solid minutes off the bench for the Orange.

DeCarlo emailed SU head coach Phil Wheddon after her visit to let him know she was interested in playing for the Division-I program and wanted to know what she could do to earn a spot on the team.

He invited DeCarlo, a Wilton, Conn., native, to a prospective student-athlete summer camp at Syracuse.

DeCarlo was jumbled along with younger players at the camp, but impressed enough to catch the eye of Wheddon.

‘That was my tryout, and I didn’t realize that until it was actually done,’ DeCarlo said.

DeCarlo said she knew during the camp she’d have to outperform the other players to prove she belonged. She did just that and made the team.

‘He invited me to be on the team,’ DeCarlo said. ‘He said I really surprised him, I did really well. I was really shocked. I wasn’t expecting an invite. I thought I would have to try out or something.’

Wheddon said that once she was invited to participate in the preseason, she continued to show her skills were D-I worthy.

But DeCarlo’s experience at SU didn’t start off the way she had hoped last year.

DeCarlo suffered an ankle injury before her freshman season got underway and was also sick for what she estimates was half the season.

After the thrill of the making the team, DeCarlo said she struggled and went through an adjustment period. She also didn’t have the same connection with the team she has this year.

Sophomore defender Jackie Moriarty said last year DeCarlo didn’t have that chemistry with her teammates because she wasn’t taking the field with them.

But this year is different. She’s become a part of the team.

‘She’s not injured and kind of separated from the team,’ Moriarty said. ‘She’s with the team now. And she’s not just like a random player on the side. She’s part of us.’

And she’s a regular contributor. DeCarlo made sure she was ready for this season. Unlike her freshman campaign when she didn’t know what to expect, DeCarlo came in healthy and improved.

Wheddon was surprised at what she brought to the table when she unknowingly tried out for the squad. That hasn’t changed.

She has surpassed his expectations again this season.

‘This year she’s been very steady,’ Wheddon said. ‘We know what we’re going to get from Lauren. She’s worked exceptionally hard. She can play multiple positions. She’s a coach’s luxury.’

Wheddon said that she is one of the best walk-ons the fourth-year head coach has had at Syracuse.

Her ability to play any position on the field has been a crucial asset. In her seven games and one start, DeCarlo has played defense, midfield and forward, Wheddon said.

‘The only thing she hasn’t been is the goalkeeper, and I’m not sure she’s going to be doing that,’ Wheddon said.

And that solid play from every spot on the field, including the game-winning goal against Providence, has earned DeCarlo the respect of her teammates.

They don’t even think of her as a walk-on.

‘No one even, to be honest with you, considers her a walk-on at all,’ SU forward Jenna Rickan said after that Providence win. ‘She’s just such a great member of our team, and she is absolutely so vital to every aspect of it.’

The feeling is mutual for DeCarlo.

‘I feel just like everyone else now, and they’ve really been helpful with that, and it’s just been great,’ DeCarlo said. ‘I feel part of the team. I don’t feel like a walk-on.’

dgproppe@syr.edu

 

Published on October 4, 2011 at 12:00 pm