Haenlin steadies still-developing Syracuse back line

The Syracuse women’s soccer team went to T.G.I. Friday’s for dinner during its recent road trip to Miami. Junior defender Taylor Haenlin walked in with a textbook sticking out of her pocket.

Her teammates weren’t surprised.

“I always sit next to her on the planes because it always works that way and she’s literally studying all the time,” sophomore defender Maddie Iozzi said.

Not only does Haenlin have a 4.0 grade point average, she also uses her smarts in soccer. She’s the Orange’s (5-5-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast) most experienced defender and her quiet leadership approach has translated into success on the field. SU has allowed just two goals in four conference games, partly because of Haenlin’s play as a center defender.

Haenlin, a vice-captain, is considered a role model by her teammates because of how she carries herself. In the past three years, she’s missed only two games, earning her a reputation of reliability, and SU head coach Phil Wheddon described Haenlin as the “quintessential Syracuse soccer player.”

Haenlin’s responsibilities this season include nurturing a young defense that experienced growing pains.

Before the Orange’s Sept. 25 game against Miami, Wheddon changed the formation from using three defenders to using four defenders. In three games since, SU has only given up one goal, which came off a penalty kick.

“I think I’m definitely getting my confidence back,” Haenlin said. “The back four is really starting to connect a lot better and we’re really starting to know how each other play.”

Haenlin isn’t the most vocal player, but she prioritizes speaking with teammates one-on-one in practice. Anytime there is a break in a drill, she discusses what to do in potential scenarios with other defenders.

Though Haenlin mainly leads by example, she also gives necessary commands to her peers.

“Step,” “hold,” “press” and “shift over” are things she says on the field. Keeping the entire defense on the same page is one of Haenlin’s biggest duties. Her communication is important to keep less experienced defenders together, and Haenlin uses her viewpoint from the center of the field to relay information that her outside defenders may not have noticed.

“Trying to keep our back four connected so when we shift over, I talk and help pull players in and then releasing them,” Haenlin said. “Pushing up, then dropping. It’s all about talking.”

From her studies to her leadership, Haenlin is anchoring a defense that’s finding its identity while moonlighting as the Orange’s throw-in specialist.

Haenlin gives her outside defenders, like Iozzi, a chance to drop back and rest when she runs up on offense to throw the ball in. When the throw-in is deep in opponent territory, Haenlin launches a pass resembling a corner kick into opponents’ 18-yard box.

Her skill set is so vast that her throw-in ability sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.

“Oh my god, her throw-ins, I forgot about those,” Iozzi said. “They’re awesome. They’re a really big help.”

In the previous two seasons, Haenlin played alongside Rachel Blum at center defense. Since Blum graduated in the spring, her role has increased and she’s responding just how her head coach would like.

Said Wheddon: “Taylor’s had to step up a little bit and she’s starting to do that more and more.”