Syracuse players spend pregame sessions listening to music. An auxiliary cord is passed as teammates motivate each other. Len Zeugner, a self-described introvert, is often absent. He usually can be found in between his 15-minute training session that “heats up” his body temperature or in an ice bath.

“I’m one of the weird players,” Zeugner said, laughing.

Zeugner, a grad-transfer defender, is one of six players to start all of nine of SU’s games this season. In his previous two campaigns, he played in five games for Boston College after tearing his right meniscus in the spring of 2016. Zeugner transferred to Syracuse to fulfill his fifth year of eligibility in the Atlantic Coast Conference and to get a Master’s degree in data sciences. In the process, he’s cemented the backline and provided a calming presence on and off the pitch. Syracuse (4-4-1, 0-3-0 ACC) will rely on Zeugner during its Friday night matchup against No. 1 Wake Forest (11-0, 4-0) and the Demon Deacons offense that’s scored multiple goals in all of its contents.

“He brings calmness being one of the oldest guys on the team,” senior midfielder Jonathan Hagman said. “He’s nice, he doesn’t do much (off the field). He brings a nice vibe to the locker room. On the field, we trust him a lot.”

Zeugner, a German-native and alum of Europe’s top youth leagues, faced SU in 2015 with BC in the NCAA tournament. Multiple players and coaches cited his composure and experience as an advantage for the Orange in big games. In Syracuse’s 3-5-2, Zeugner is bracketed by stalwart Kamal Miller and 21-year-old sophomore Sondre Norheim. The group has stabilized after an injury to Miller rocked the group earlier this season.

When Miller missed the Orange’s home-opener against Hofstra on Sept. 2, freshman Michael Lantry filled in. Zeugner made an effort to support Lantry, vocalizing certain shifts in Hofstra’s forwards and helping out when the freshman misplayed a cross.

Zeugner showed a tendency to extinguish scoring chances following SU mistakes against Notre Dame on Sept. 7. When midfielder Jan Breitenmoser was beat down the wing, Zeugner cleaned it up. Later in that match, the 6-foot-4, 191-pound defender muscled a player to the ground, causing an uproar from the UND bench. McIntyre shook his head and walked away. Zeugner, focused on the play, jogged back to his position near the penalty box.

“(Zeugner)’s an old, wily fox,” SU head coach Ian McIntyre said. “He’s been around the block.”

Throughout his career, Zeugner has familiarized himself as being a central defender. In Germany, he played in a 4-4-2, usually as a right-center back. He had a similar role in Boston College. Now at Syracuse, he’s fortified himself as the main defender in front of Hilpert, familiarizing himself with a system BC used sparingly.  

During the Orange’s Oct. 1 match against Akron, SU absorbed 20 shots. Orange and blue striped jerseys shuffled back and forth, sticking to Akron forwards trying to preserve the clean sheet. Towering above most of the players on the pitch was Zeugner, tracking down passes and pressuring the ball.

The Zips recorded 11 shots in the first half, including a door-step chance that breezed past Hilpert and would’ve reached twine if not for Zeugner’s foot. The defender, already planted inches from the goal line, blasted the ball away. Minutes later, SU scored its first goal in an eventual 3-1 win. The veteran of Syracuse’s backline lived up to his teammate’s expectations. They’ll need him to keep doing so.

“(Zeugner) is calm in whatever he’s doing,” Hilpert said. “I get some confidence in knowing that

Published on October 4, 2018 at 7:14 pm

Contact Nick: nialvare@syr.edu | @nick_a_alvarez