Penalty Stroke Saves Syracuse Field Hockey in 1-0 Win Over Hofstra

By: Skyler Wilkes | @swilkes04

CitrusTV Field Hockey Beat Reporter

Rain is on the forecast today, and SU needed it badly. For 58 minutes, the game was scoreless, before Laura Graziosi broke the stalemate with a penalty stroke. The senior’s first goal of the season led Syracuse to a 1-0 win over Hofstra. SU’s head coach Ange Bradley said that, when you’re standing on this spot, confidence is what matters. 

“It’s a matter of who wants to do it and then goes out and does it on their own and practices it. So, um, Lau[ra] asked to take it and she wanted it and felt confident and we gave her that,” said Bradley.

While the offense faltered, the defense was lights out. The ‘Cuse allowed just one shot en route to its nation-leading fifth shutout of the season. The Orange have been aggressive, pressuring their opponents on every possession.

“We really focused on putting pressure on the ball and I think we did okay and then if they had long balls, our defense made sure that they stepped up so they had few shots on goal and that’s how we shut them out,” explained Laura Graziosi. 

SU won its third game in a row, improving to 7-1 on the season. Next up for Syracuse, is a trip down to Charlottesville to face off against ACC rival Virginia at 4 p.m. on Friday.