It didn’t take long for Syracuse to lose its first defender. Akane Hosoyamada played in just seven games before suffering a season-ending leg injury.

Then Christina LaCombe, who hasn’t played since December, left the team for personal reasons, leaving SU with just six. But the shorthanded defensive lineup has played admirably for the Orange thus far.

‘I think there’s a certain amount of confidence amongst the group when they sense that they know they’re playing,’ SU head coach Paul Flanagan said. ‘They can never determine how much ice time they’re going to get. That comes from coaching, but I think that maybe they feel a little bit more secure in their position.’

With only three defensive pairings left for the rest of the season, the Syracuse defenders actually feel they’ve improved without two of their teammates. By earning more playing time each night, the players know their set roles and have developed confidence on the ice. The Orange (9-16-3, 0-3-3 College Hockey America) will need its defense to continue to improve and play strong as it searches for its first conference victory with just six games left in the regular season.

SU defender Jacquie Greco in particular has benefited from an increased role on defense. Early in the season the junior found herself oftentimes a healthy scratch. Now, she has become one of Syracuse’s top defenders and gained confidence with each game.

She said the players know they have to push each other to stay sharp physically and mentally as the team enters the final stretch of the season.

‘We know we have nothing to lose, so we put all our effort out there,’ Greco said. ‘Competitive play within a team is really good, but sometimes it isn’t good and us six are able to work together. We know who we work with best. We know how to work with other people, so I think it’s actually helping us.’

Greco’s consistent presence in the lineup also gives the Orange another offensive threat. The assistant captain has played forward in addition to defense. Though she likely won’t be used on offense with the lack of depth defensively, she can provide a scoring punch around the net when needed.

‘It gives me a little edge because I can do both,’ Greco said. ‘I can go up if I think it helps me in my advantage and then I can help out on ‘D,’ and even when I was playing forward I was the first back-checker back, and I can help out the ‘D.’ Being both positions you know what both positions need help with.’

Brittany Krebs has also stepped up to fill the void left on defense. Like Greco, Krebs rarely saw the ice last season and early this year, but with Hosoyamada and LaCombe both out, the sophomore has tallied four points and played well defensively in 25 games this season.

Flanagan said he has been impressed with how all six defenders have responded to the challenges without Hosoyamada and LaCombe. He specifically pointed out Greco and Krebs for their seamless transition into the lineups in the second half of the season.

Flanagan said it was unfortunate for the program to lose LaCombe for personal reasons. She last played on Dec. 3 against Lindenwood and later left Syracuse. It was especially tough for her cousin, Allie LaCombe, who was emotional following her departure. But the Orange defenders battled through it.

This year’s SU defense has been through plenty of turmoil with injuries and departures, but the group has emerged as one of the strengths of a team that has struggled to score goals. In Syracuse’s first win in 10 games last Saturday, the defense withstood 55 shots by Quinnipiac as goaltender Kallie Billadeau made 53 saves to preserve a 3-2 victory.

For Flanagan, the defense’s resilience is a testament to the depth and character of this group of players.

‘Just going through some adversity and the numbers, that’s why you have to have some depth, and we continue to try to develop that through our recruiting,’ Flanagan said. ‘If we had lost two of our better ‘D’ last year or the year before, it would have been devastating. I just give credit to these kids for being prepared.’

dbwilson@syr.edu