FH : With Final Four on horizon, Orange soaking in support from community
It was like Sunday afternoon again for Ange Bradley.
At halftime of the Syracuse men’s basketball game in the Carrier Dome, the SU field hockey team was honored for its Big East championship and advancement to the NCAA Final Four. The Orange moved to the semifinals after edging Princeton 3-2 in overtime Sunday. Bradley and her team will board a bus tomorrow afternoon and head to Trager Stadium in Louisville, Ky., for the semifinals against Wake Forest Friday.
Standing at the podium in a conference room, below 16,260 fans at the Carrier Dome Tuesday night, squinting her eyes and laughing, Bradley lost her focus.
‘Want to give an opening speech?’ asked a manager, at the silent head coach holding the podium, trying to find a foot to balance on.
‘I guess I should,’ Bradley mumbled, then laughed again. ‘We’re really excited. We just achieved another first in the program’s history. We’re headed to the Final Four, and we’re 22-1 right now.’
In the Orange’s 37-year history it has never advanced to the Final Four. The team’s excitement was transparent.
The SU team marched onto Jim Boeheim Court with the Big East regular season trophy and the Big East championship trophy at halftime, and received applause from fans at the Dome. Senior captain Shannon Taylor and Heather Hess raised the trophies before handing them to Bradley.
‘Our community’s really rooting for us, and just to know that is going to boost our confidence and make us come home with another trophy,’ Taylor said.
Monday the Orange walked into Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery, where its patrons began chanting ‘Go ‘Cuse’ and ‘Let’s Go Orange,’ Bradley said. The community’s support has been ‘amazing,’ she said.
The reality of competing for a national championship has not settled in. After Sunday’s dramatic win, Bradley couldn’t conceive the notion that the team had made the Final Four. As she stood in the Dome two days later, the feeling lingered.
‘I think that when it’s over. When we write our last two pages, and I’m taking some time in December. Then it’ll all sink in,’ Bradley said. ‘It’s been a dream.’
Seeing Richmond play the Syracuse’s men’s basketball team Tuesday night brought back memories for Taylor, who followed Bradley from Richmond to Syracuse last year. Due to NCAA transfer rules, Taylor sat out last season before setting SU’s single-season points record this year. She ended the regular season as the nation’s leading scorer, with 72 points. Taylor transferred to Syracuse, along with Lindsey Conrad and Lena Voelmle.
‘The kids that had to redshirt for a year had a tremendous year of sacrifice,’ Bradley said.
But it’s paying off.
Syracuse faces Wake Forest Friday night, where a win would secure a spot in the NCAA Championship – the ‘last page’ to Bradley’s grad plan.Wake Forest advanced to the Final Four by defeating Virginia Saturday, 4-3.
After speaking to reporters, Bradley sat in the front row of the press conference, crossed her legs and smiled as her players took the podium. She laughed at Hess’ statement.
‘Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet. I still feel like we’re playing regular season right now,’ Hess said. ‘I know after this weekend it will hit me.’
Published on November 18, 2008 at 12:00 pm
