Syracuse goes on the road and knocks off #12 UConn
By Nick Luttrell
CitrusTV Field Hockey Beat Reporter
STORRS, C.T. — It was all Syracuse on Sunday afternoon as the Orange (3-2) upset #12 UConn (2-4). From the get-go, SU was able to control the possession of the ball much better than Friday’s affair. In the fourth minute SJ Quigley dished it off to Eefke van den Nieuwenhof who scored the first goal to take an early lead for SU.
To start the second quarter UConn’s Claire Jandewerth responded to tie the ballgame at one but, it wasn’t long until SJ Quigley came back again for the Orange offense and rifled in a goal of her own to give Syracuse the 2-1 lead at the half.
But bigger than the score was SU’s ability to take control of this game. In the first half, they had 13 shots and held UConn to just three. Goalkeeper Louise Pert wasn’t called on quite as much as Brooke Borzymoswki was in Friday’s game – instead, it was Pert’s defensive teammates like Sienna Pegram and van den Nieuwenhof who stepped up to shut down the Huskies.
In the third quarter, the Orange began to put the game out of reach. Quigley (who finished with a goal and two assists) continued her fantastic day with a pass to Charlotte de Vries in the 31st minute who sent it to the back of the net for SU.
It was de Vries’ first goal of the season and should be one of many more to come. The NFCA All-American missed the first two games of the year because she was in Chile playing for the U.S. National Team in the Junior Pan American Championship. She led the team in goals and points the past two seasons and is expected to do the same again this year.
The Orange continued to dominate in the second half after two big goals by Quirine Comans to put the game away and give SU a 5-1 lead. Late in the fourth quarter, when the game was unreachable for UConn, Jessica Dembrowski made two goals for the Huskies.
Overall, Syracuse improved immensely from Friday’s loss at Rutgers. Against the Scarlet Knights they allowed 14 SOG (shots on goal), but today they only allowed six. Goalkeeper Louise Pert is now 3-0 on the season, while Borzymowski remains 0-2. It will be interesting to see who gets the start from Head Coach Ange Bradley next game.
After today’s win, Syracuse jumps back over .500 and is now 3-2 heading into their first ACC matchup on Friday. The Orange will have a tall task going up against #3 Boston College in Chestnut Hill five days from now. You can watch that game on the ACC Network or follow me on Twitter for live updates. Or do both if your heart so desires.
naluttre@syr.edu | @nickluttie
