In eight seconds, the season could’ve changed.

Forget the 7-1 blowout over Binghamton to start the season. Trash the 7-2 start SU had.

When Rutgers scored a goal with eight seconds left in double overtime, the Syracuse University women’s soccer team could’ve hung its head.

Instead, the Orangewomen responded with a 2-0 win over St. John’s, securing the momentum it built this season. Now, SU heads into a crucial weekend.

SU (8-3-0, 2-0 Big East) plays two strong opponents in games that will make or break its bid to win the Big East’s Northeast Division. The Orangewomen play No. 17 Boston College on Friday and Providence on Sunday. Both games are at Syracuse Soccer Stadium.

Syracuse still have not received respect in the national polls. The Orangewomen made no progress in the quest to be ranked after going 1-1 last weekend.

As the Orangewomen know after last Friday’s 1-0 overtime loss to Rutgers, anything can happen in Big East play.

‘Lots of upsets are going on in the Big East.’ goalie Emily Kowalczyk said before the Rutgers game. ‘If we can get consistent wins, we can sail atop the Big East.’

And, as Kowalczyk suggested, SU is sailing. The Orangewomen are tied with Connecticut for the Northeast Division lead with six points. This weekend’s opponents each have one point.

No. 17 Boston College (8-1-2, 0-1-1) is coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to Connecticut, BC’s third straight overtime game. The Orangewomen have an offensive-minded opponent in BC. The Eagles lead the Big East in goals per game, with 3.64, and assists per game.

Providence (5-4-2, 0-0-1) should prove to be less of a test for Syracuse. The Friars are a completely different opponent than BC, ranking last in the Big East in goals per game, with .91. Providence, off to its best start in 13 seasons, is ranked No. 10 in the Northeast poll. The Friars travel to SU after playing at St. John’s on Friday.

Still, SU isn’t worried about the opposition.

‘We’ve got to worry about ourselves first and make sure we’re ready to play,’ goalies coach Greg Tait said. ‘(Big East) games come down to who executes better.’

Published on October 8, 2003 at 12:00 pm