Syracuse women's soccer trotted onto the pitch Saturday for an exhibition match against Binghamton without star sophomore Stephanie Skilton [8], who is currently playing in the FIFA U-20 World Cup for New Zealand.
But even with Skilton's absence, SU had no trouble finding the back of the net.
Nine different Orange players recorded a point, and freshman Sheridan Street led the way with two goals as Syracuse opened the season with a 5-3 win over the Bearcats at SU Soccer Stadium.
Although the Orange returns six starters from last season, head coach Phil Wheddon [9] saw Saturday's game as a measuring stick for his latest crop of newcomers. Much to his delight, they delivered.
"We have a talented freshman class," Wheddon said. "All of them played today, so that speaks volumes to the level of talent."
Freshman Alex Lamontagne put the Orange on the board first with an early goal in the 10th minute. About five minutes later, Maddie Iozzi doubled the SU advantage.
That lead grew to three in the 29th minute, when Street tickled the twine for her first tally.
"We needed to play hard and play tough because we tied them in the spring," Street said.
However, the comfortable lead quickly evaporated thanks to a pair of Binghamton goals off ensuing restarts. Wheddon was not happy with the quick Bearcat strikes, and he said his squad needs to limit such mistakes in the future.
"The most dangerous time is five minutes you've scored," he added.
Both teams then traded blows throughout the second half, with neither able to pull away. Finally in the 74th minute, Street received a pass from Alexis Koval in the box and buried her shot to give SU an insurance tally.
Sophomore goalkeeper MacKenzie Moranz made four saves after replacing freshman Courtney Brosnan [10] in the starting lineup prior to the match. Wheddon said Brosnan aggravated a knee injury during warm-ups.
Syracuse begins regular season play Aug. 22 against Missouri at the Penn State Invitational.
