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Alyssa Abramson is deployable anywhere across the soccer field. It’s why she’s started every game for Syracuse this season.

Mainly, Abramson’s been a critical piece of SU’s backline at right back. But her offensive prowess has come out at times, including on Aug. 20 against Siena.

Off of a corner 35 minutes in, Grace Gillard redirected the cross toward the right post. Abramson sprang up to make contact with it, nodding a looper header into the back of the net. The goal marked Abramson’s first-ever collegiate score and was SU’s first of 2023.

“She always has an attacking mindset,” said JR Balzarini, Abramson’s club coach at Skills Unlimited Soccer Academy Football Club (SUSA) in Long Island.

Abramson has always been a defender with an overlooked eye for goal. Arriving at Syracuse in 2022, she played sporadically as a substitute. But this season, she’s assumed her natural position in SU’s backline. And her attacking talent still shines through.

Alyssa Abramson gives the Orange a 1-0 lead!

First Orange goal of 2023 :ballot_box_with_check:
First career goal :ballot_box_with_check:

ESPN+: https://t.co/Pmu9ohLppc pic.twitter.com/s5J8QTzd6l

— Syracuse Women's Soccer (@CuseWSOC) August 20, 2023

Balzarini remembered Abramson utilizing her left-foot and speed while playing multiple defensive and midfield positions for SUSA FC in high school. While Abramson played on the defensive side, she often got involved in the attack.

“She was a weapon for us from the wide areas,” Balzarini said.

Abramson’s offensive ability was on full display when SUSA’s undefeated season was on the line. Tied at 2-2 against local rival East Meadow, Abramson chested the ball after just crossing midfield, and “hit it as hard as possible.”

Rather than sky it out of play, Abramson’s effort dipped over the opposing goalkeeper’s head and into the net. The goal gave SUSA the lead with five minutes remaining, keeping an undefeated season alive.

“It was one of the greatest feelings ever,” Abramson said. “I wasn’t having the best game, but to get that goal was really nice.”

Abramson’s role as a defender-midfielder hybrid was showcased on her high school team. Her coaches saw her versatility as a key part of the team’s success.

Patchogue-Medford High School head coach Chris Greico first watched Abramson play when she was in the seventh grade. Following an impressive showing, Greico requested her to play up for the junior varsity team in eighth grade. She moved up to the varsity squad as a freshman and was a regular throughout her four years at Patchogue-Medford.

“She started on varsity as a ninth grader because she made that big of an impact,” Greico said. “Overall talent was above and beyond anyone that I had that was even a senior at the time.”

Similar to her time with SUSA FC, Abramson’s multi-faceted game resulted in her playing a variety of roles. Her polished aerial ability initially positioned her at center back. When the offense struggled, Greico moved her forward.

Abramson’s do-it-all capability continued at Syracuse. It was one of the leading reasons why head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams recruited her.

“Alyssa will be able to help us on both sides of the ball, ” Adams said in a release following Abramson’s signing in 2021. “As a defender, she has the determination to compete in every one-on-one battle and as an attacker she is willing to join the attack and provide great service into the box.”

Abramson didn’t play much her freshman year. When she stepped onto the field, it was as a forward, a position completely unfamiliar to her. Despite being low on confidence, Abramson said she weathered the position change and learned along the way.

Now, as a sophomore, Abramson is back on defense after members of the backline graduated. She’s utilized last season’s attacking struggles to shape her thinking of how opposing forwards act. She’s also continued to fill in wherever Adams has needed.

Since the start of this season, Abramson has spent time playing on either flank. When senior Kate Murphy exited SU’s bout with Virginia Tech with a head injury, Abramson moved from right to left back. At other times, she’s been tested at midfield positions.

“Me moving around has really helped the team,” Abramson said. “Being a versatile player is the best thing you could possibly be for your team.”

Published on October 2, 2023 at 10:20 pm

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky