As time wound down, Syracuse goalie Courtney Brosnan put both of her hands in the air and let out a yell.

Stephanie Skilton had just found the back of the net with 31 seconds left, bringing Syracuse’s lead to 3-0. Brosnan turned back to the net behind her and gave a celebratory fist pump, knowing victory was assured.

“When you get a goal, it’s not like you relax in the back. It’s a little sense of relief, though,” Brosnan said. “To get those goals from the offense tonight was huge.”

The freshman had six saves as the Orange (5-5-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast) defeated Boston College (8-5, 1-3), 3-0, at SU Soccer Stadium on Saturday night. The Eagles attacked all night, totaling 17 shots, but couldn’t beat Brosnan as she logged the second shutout of her career.

The shutout was almost in jeopardy early in the second half, while the score was still knotted at zero. A BC defender was able to shoot from up close on the right side of the goal and the ball squirted past Brosnan. But junior forward Erin Simon was in to clear the ball out from around the goal.

“BC scoring a goal first would have completely changed the momentum of the game,” Brosnan said. “When I’m not there, Erin stepping up big completely changes the game and keeps us in it.”

Boston College’s Hayley Dowd came into the game tied for the lead in the ACC with eight goals scored, but Saturday night was only the third time the Eagles have been shut out all season.

SU head coach Phil Wheddon said he typically asks his goalkeepers to come up with one save a game, and was proud of Brosnan for coming up with two or three big saves.

BC’s offense features some extremely fast and technical forwards, Brosnan said, which made communication and help from the defenders in front of her that much more important. Wheddon added that the forwards were some of the best in the conference and that his goalkeeper needed to come up big for the team to get a win.

Brosnan has helped her team to two wins in its past three games since returning to play after injuring herself in the preseason. She has started the past five games for the Orange and has allowed five goals while saving 22-of-28 shots.

“It’s so comforting having Courtney in net,” said junior defender Taylor Haenlin. “You can definitely play your best knowing you have someone so skilled behind you backing you up.”

Leadership from the rear is essential from the goalkeeper, Wheddon said, and Brosnan provided more communication in order to keep the defense more organized.

While the Syracuse offense came to life Saturday night for the most goals since Brosnan’s return, maintaining solid goalkeeper play kept SU on the track to victory, Haenlin said.

Said Wheddon: “You can’t win without a good goalkeeper.”

Published on October 5, 2014 at 12:39 am

Contact Liam: lpsull01@syr.edu