Formation switch decisive in Syracuse’s clean sheet against Princeton
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“My pit bull viper assassin.”
That’s what Syracuse coach Nicky Thrasher Adams had to say about her newest addition to the Orange defense: Old Dominion transfer Kendall Mesh.
Through the first two matches of the season, a scoreless draw against Villanova and a convincing 3-1 victory over Holy Cross, SU had continued its trademarked 3-5-2 formation it had grown accustomed to in 2025.
But in a late victory at Northwestern Thursday, Thrasher Adams switched things up. She moved to a 4-5-1, adding Mesh to the backline, securing a stronger defense and allowing more flexibility between positions.
“We felt if we change formation, it’s going to give us a bit more stability in behind,” Thrasher Adams said. “It gives us the ability to manage the roster a bit better.”
The extra body at the back paid dividends as Syracuse (3-0-1, 0-0-0 Atlantic Coast) kept its second straight clean sheet against Princeton (1-1-0, 0-0-0 Ivy) in a 3-0 shutout Sunday. The Orange conceded 14 shots, fewer than half the 31 Princeton managed in the two’s 0-0 draw last year.
The Tigers tested Syracuse early, getting several touches inside the box during the opening minutes of the game and forcing the Orange to scramble defensively. But time and time again, SU recovered before Princeton could turn those opportunities into dangerous chances.
In the 10th minute, Maddie Recupero was through on goal, took a touch inside the box and was poised to challenge Maya Naimoli, who has yet to allow an open-play goal this season. In a flash, however, that opportunity vanished as Chloe Joseph raced back, got physical and cleared the ball out for a throw-in.
Crisis averted.
Nine minutes into the second half, Syracuse again withstood the pressure. The Orange had just won a corner and should’ve been focusing on offense, right? After the in-swinging corner from Gabby Wisbeck, Princeton forward Dylan Jovanovic seized control of the loose ball in the box and had plenty of green grass ahead of her. It would be a dream come true for any striker. That is, until you see Jasmine Nixon in your rear, sprinting back and repossessing the ball from you, just when you thought you had a chance.
Two minutes later, defender Zoe Markesini sent a long ball over, searching for Sarah Houston, who was making a run down the left wing. Houston managed one touch before Mesh was there, anchoring the back four, to head the ball out of harm’s way and kill the attack.
But the formation change hasn’t taken Syracuse out of the attack. With five players in the midfield, the Orange continued to create opportunities while their four defenders stayed behind the ball. Syracuse’s best attacking stretch came just under 15 minutes into the second half when Ali Howard beat her defender down the right side and sent a cross into the box. Incorvaia beat her mark to the ball and headed it past Princeton’s goalkeeper for a point-blank finish.
The goal showed the balance Syracuse’s new shape can provide: four defenders protecting against the counterattack, five midfielders helping control the game and enough numbers forward to create chances.
As the game wound down, and the rain that had started as a drizzle early in the second half transitioned into a downpour, it was time for the new backline to prove itself. With less than 20 minutes left, a cross came across Syracuse’s box, searching for Nina Cantor, one of Princeton’s top goal scorers last year. Once again, as it had all game, SU’s defense didn’t falter; Mesh pounced on the scene and lunged with her left leg at the ball, clearing it out of bounds and neutralizing the threat.
“I love her,” Thrasher Adams said of Mesh. “She is (a) total defender first.”
For Thrasher Adams, the formation change was about more than adding another defender. It was about finding a way to make the entire team more stable.
And through two games, the results have given her plenty of reason to stick with it.
