It was the 90th minute, Syracuse was leading 1-0, and Colgate made one last push to equalize. A Colgate player sent a ball in toward the attacking zone, where SU defenders and Colgate attackers raced after the free ball.

Then, from seemingly out of nowhere, goalkeeper Brittany Anghel sprinted out of the goalie box, clearing the ball with a powerful kick that sent the ball to the midfield area and secured the shutout.

“For me it was an easy decision,” Anghel said, “I’m gonna come get it and just get it as far away as possible.”

The clearance secured the 1-0 SU (3-1) win over Colgate (3-1). To most it was just another victory, but to Anghel it meant Syracuse history. With the win, Anghel tied Eliza Bennett-Hattan’s school record for career shutouts and Katie Karlander’s record for career wins at Syracuse.

“To be even with Eliza, it’s an honor really,” Anghel said. “I’m happy to follow in her footsteps.”

The records depict the culmination of four years of hard work that head coach Phil Wheddon can attest to.

“She’s one of the reasons why this team has been relatively successful and will be successful this year,” Wheddon said, “She works very, very hard, and she deserves everything she gets.”

Senior defender Kayla Afonso has been playing with Anghel since her freshman year, and the respect for Anghel’s hard work is depicted in how she portrays the four-year starter.

“She’s a great teammate,” Alfonso said, “She has a lot of ambition and heart. When she goes out there she knows that she needs to make these saves. She controls the back line, and we just play our heart out for her.”

Afonso complimented her work ethic and drive, noting that once Anghel came in as a freshman, she demanded the starting goalie spot through her play. And Anghel’s work ethic has allowed her to keep that starting job all four years at Syracuse.

Anghel’s game-saving boot is one of the many reasons why she has been so good at SU, Wheddon said.

Her style is more suited for a women’s soccer game that has changed over the years, Wheddon said. She uses her feet just as well as she uses her hands.

“That’s the modern game now,” Wheddon said, “She’s commanding, she takes care of the box. Quite honestly, she makes the saves she’s supposed to make.”

But even with all the hard work she puts in, Anghel secured her share of both of these prestigious records in a game where she was often left out of the picture. Colgate only registered three shots on Syracuse, leaving Anghel to come up with ways to stay sharp.

“I tend to keep a really high line,” Anghel said, “just so I can keep on talking to them, keep them engaged; give them directions, tell them what to do. That keeps me in check also. Yes it was a little bit boring at times, but I don’t hate that, that’s a good sign for us.”

She admitted at times the contest was boring, but Anghel would take that any day. The supporting cast that helps make games so boring has helped her to achieve incredible individual success and cement her legacy at SU.

“The game has changed in the last 10 years and Brittany has adapted well,” Wheddon said. “She’s certainly one of the best goalkeepers at the collegiate level that I’ve worked with.”

Published on September 3, 2013 at 2:42 am

Contact Danny: dacuneo@syr.edu