The three time-consuming, exhausting trips have finally ended for Syracuse. After traveling to Chapel Hill, N.C., Columbus, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky., in a span of just three weeks, the Orange is a bit weary. Especially after five highly competitive games that included matchups with No. 1 Old Dominion, No. 2 North Carolina and No. 19 Louisville.

‘Going away on the road, it does have fatigue factored in it,’ junior back Amy Kee said.

But the fifth-ranked SU squad won’t be leaving town again any time soon. After returning from a 2-1 overtime victory against the Cardinals early Saturday morning, the Orange began a stretch of 27 days at home. Syracuse is one game into its seven-game homestand and looks forward to the advantages playing at J.S. Coyne Stadium offers.

The Orange opened up its homestand Sunday, defeating No. 17 Boston University 3-2. That win marked SU’s 20th consecutive victory at Coyne — a streak that dates back to Sept. 6, 2009.

And after handing the Terriers their fourth loss of the season, Kee said she already felt the beneficial rest and recuperation from one day back in Syracuse.

‘Not having the effort of traveling and packing all your stuff, it’s really awesome,’ Kee said.

But the lack of travel is just one added benefit of a monthlong hiatus from life on the road.

SU also missed its home-field advantage, rather than having to play on another team’s field and be forced to listen to another team’s fans, assistant coach Steve Simpson said.

The Orange went just 3-2 in five games away from Syracuse.

‘We have our people cheering for us, and it’s the field where we practice every day,’ Simpson said. ‘We’re used to it, so it’s nice to play out here.’

Simpson’s players shared the same sentiments after Sunday’s game, when an early goal in the ninth minute tipped momentum in SU’s favor.

Junior back Iona Holloway lined up on the right baseline early in Sunday’s game against Boston. She had run this play time and time again in practice, so she knew what to expect.

Senior midfielder Liz McInerney had the ball at the top of the shooting circle. She turned and fired a pass to Holloway, who accepted it cleanly and quickly flipped a backhand shot past BU goalkeeper Jess Maroney.

‘Liz just found me on the post from the right side, and we’ve been trying to do that in practice a bit,’ Holloway said. ‘She just kind of gets the ball and sees what’s on, and luckily, I was in the right place at the right time.’

The Orange continued to show its rejuvenated play throughout the game, outshooting the Terriers by a margin of 22-4.

Being at home also gives head coach Ange Bradley the opportunity to recruit for the Orange. Sunday’s win improved her record to 35-6 at home while at Syracuse, and she is now heading out to look for the next wave of players to take the field at J.S. Coyne Stadium.

And with a home stadium like Coyne to hang in front of potential recruits, it’s hard to imagine who wouldn’t be interested in Syracuse.

Even Bradley couldn’t deny how happy she and her team are to be back home where Syracuse dominates its opponents.

‘It’s exciting to be back home,’ Bradley said. ‘We love Coyne and we want to play here as much as we can. It’s a great facility.’

sebail01@syr.edu

Published on September 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1