Gabriel Mikina’s versatility transformed Syracuse’s midfield
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In two of his first three seasons at Niagara, Gabriel Mikina was a midfielder before shifting to center back in 2022. After transferring to Syracuse, he’s been deployed all over the field for the Orange — a regular in their backline who can orchestrate in the middle of the park.
“Gabi (Mikina) is having a terrific first season for us,” SU head coach Ian McIntyre said. “We played against him (at Niagara), we knew his qualities. He’s been able to adapt to a couple of different position changes and he has that physicality and athleticism.”
At the start of the season, Mikina was used mostly as the right center back for SU’s back three. Sometimes, he was inserted as a right back when Syracuse expanded to a back four. But Mikina’s most recent move back into the midfield has helped bolster the Orange’s attack.
Mikina’s versatility and composure on the ball has helped ease McIntyre’s tactical change. With Mikina now in a defensive midfielder role, it’s given more freedom to attack-first midfielders Jeorgio Kocevski and Mateo Leveque to play higher up the pitch. Mikina said his combination play with Kocevski, Leveque and Lorenzo Boselli creates 4-on-3 advantages in the midfield and occasional 5-on-3 opportunities.
“I think it kind of confuses teams when we play against them. So having that ability to hit them with the unknown is nice,” Mikina said.
Since sneaking into the midfield in SU’s matchup with Colgate on Oct. 3, Mikina’s performances have spearheaded wins over Yale, NC State and Virginia.
Against the Wolfpack in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, Mikina rifled Syracuse in front in the 21st minute. Stepping into open space around 25 yards out, Mikina blasted a low shot past a diving Samuel Terranova to give SU a 1-0 edge, which it turned into a 5-0 victory.
McIntyre said postgame that Mikina likes to come forward and “strikes a good ball.” Mikina’s score was his career-high fifth of the season and ranks second-best on the team — only one behind Boselli. Mikina is also tied for third on SU in goal contributions (six).
Mikina’s original placement on defense to begin the season was designed to make up for the sporadic play of Buster Sjoberg as he recovered from an offseason hip surgery. When Sjoberg saw game time, Mikina slotted in at right center back.
Sjoberg only started one of Syracuse’s first five games and three of its first eight. But since SU’s 5-3 loss to Duke on Sept. 29, Sjoberg has started all eight of its games. His veteran presence in the lineup shifted Josh Belluz to the right center back spot — the catalyst for Mikina’s move into a defensive midfield position.
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“We can play through him and he just gives us a slightly different look in those transitional moments from defense to midfield to our forwards are a big part of how we play and he’s fit in really well,” McIntyre said.
In Syracuse’s 2-0 win on Oct. 18 against Yale, McIntyre benched Boselli. Pablo Pedregosa started at left wing back instead of Nate Edwards, who was shifted to the right. Pedregosa, who’s more defensive-minded than Edwards, helped support Mikina in the midfield which prompted Kocevski and Leveque into more attacking positions.
“Having (Kocevski and Leveque) that much higher up and using their quality up there, we’ve created more chances, created more shots and think they were much more lethal out there,” Mikina said.
Throughout the game, Mikina played searching balls to teammates in advanced positions. Kocevski, with Mikina covering for him, freely linked up with Edwards on the right, causing overloads and numbers advantages on the wings.
Leveque has also benefited from Mikina’s positioning by getting moved up to the final third. Trailing 1-0 against Virginia in the ACC quarterfinal with six minutes left, Leveque played a one-two with Boselli at the top of the box before finishing to tie the game 1-1. The Orange went on to win 4-3 in penalties.
In the upcoming ACC Tournament semifinals against North Carolina, Mikina will be crucial. Getting numbers up the field is important and Mikina’s calm presence will help SU play out from the back. But at the same time, Mikina’s knowledge of the game at midfield helps prevent opposing counterattacks.
Mikina emphasized the importance of playing quick in midfield. His head has to be on a swivel while finding a balance between lofting a long ball or keeping possession with simple touches.
Ahead of SU’s matchup with NC State, Mikina said it was important the Orange weren’t wasteful with the ball. His words of warning culminated in Syracuse’s largest win of the season.
Against Virginia in the quarterfinals, the Orange recorded a season high 24 shots and 14 on target. Defensively, Mikina held steady in the midfield, keeping the ball moving while helping snuff out any dangerous UVA counterattacks. The Cavaliers were held to a season-low two shots on goal.
Now facing UNC on Wednesday, the Orange will look to achieve consecutive ACC Championship berths for the first time ever. Mikina’s workhorse effort and careful eye in the midfield will serve as Syracuse’s deciding factor.
