Freshmen Karlee Farr and Serra Degnan followed a similar path during their trek toward featured roles on the No. 5 Syracuse offense.

Both were multisport athletes in high school. In addition to playing field hockey, Farr was a member of the track team at Donegal (Pa.) High School, where she helped set a school record in the 4×100 relay. Meanwhile, Degnan kept busy by running track and playing both basketball and softball at Wyoming Area High School.

The two made the 2012 Pennsylvania All-State First Team in field hockey after scoring a combined 147 goals during their years of high school competition.

But through the first three weeks of the 2013 season, both have struggled to find their offensive touch.

They’re hoping that changes this weekend when Syracuse (6-0) hits the road to take on No. 17 Boston College (5-1) on Friday at 4 p.m. in Chestnut Hill, Mass., and returns to face No. 6 Princeton (3-1), the defending national champion, at J.S. Coyne Stadium on Sunday at 3 p.m.

“As a freshman coming in, you hear about all these teams and you can’t wait to compete against them and see how well you do,” Degnan said. “It’s going to be a battle.”

Although Farr and Degnan have already worked their way into the starting lineup, finding the back of the net hasn’t been as easy.

Despite logging 345 minutes in game action, Degnan has been held scoreless through Syracuse’s first six contests. She said that she’s not entirely frustrated because the team has been winning, but she also admitted that scoring that elusive first goal this weekend would be a huge confidence boost.

“I’d probably die and keel over,” Degnan said. “It would certainly be exciting.”

Head coach Ange Bradley is confident that Degnan’s persistence will be rewarded very soon.

“Serra’s going to score this weekend,” she said with a smile.

Farr recorded her first and only collegiate goal against Michigan State on Sept. 6.

“It was definitely as cool as I thought it would be,” Farr said of the experience. “Emma Russell gave me a great pass to set me up for the goal. It was great to get the first out of the way.”

Both agreed that there has been a significant learning curve at the college level. Specifically, Degnan said the speed of the game is quicker and the talent pool is much more balanced.

However, they also said the camaraderie among the squad has made the entire process much easier.

“I’m taking advantage of every opportunity that I have to keep learning and growing,” Farr said. “I’ve had a lot of great support from my teammates and coaches, so that helps.”

They may not have made much of an effect on the stat sheet quite yet, but their role on the bench and in the locker room has been significant. Bradley said their intangibles have been a valued contribution for a team that relies on both young talent and veteran leadership.

“Tenacity, guts, courage … their mentality is very good,” Bradley said. “They’re not too high, not too low. They’re very present mentally.”

They will need to bring every bit of that cerebral focus this weekend, as Bradley expects the team’s first Atlantic Coast Conference game on Friday to be “hard-fought” the entire way.

Not that it scares Farr and Degnan. The two freshmen are up for the challenge.

“It’s going to be a really big step for the team,” Farr said. “We really want to show our presence in the ACC.”

Published on September 19, 2013 at 12:36 am

Contact Tyler: tfpiccot@syr.edu