Corners Help Syracuse Grab First Conference Win of Spring

By Ben Spector

CitrusTV’s Field Hockey Beat Reporter

The No. 9 Syracuse Field Hockey Team (3-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) had not played a game in over a week, but it was thrown right into the fire. SU played No.14 Duke (1-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast) in its first conference matchup of the spring season. In the fall, the Orange won both matchups against the Blue Devils, scoring a combined seven goals in those two games. That success against Duke carried over into the spring as Syracuse won today’s matchup 2-1.

The Orange came out in the first quarter and put the offensive pressure on. SU had opportunity after opportunity, but it was Pleun Lammers who opened the scoring. The Co-ACC Player of the Week two weeks ago scored her third of the spring season off a corner. The sophomore redirected a shot from Eefe van den Nieuwenhof. While the energy on offense was impressive given the week off, Duke on the other hand had none. The Blue Devils rarely held possession in the offensive third of the field in the first quarter.

The Blue Devils picked up the offensive slack in the second quarter but had nothing to show for it. Both teams were going back-and-forth with scoring opportunities. However, another corner late in the third quarter led to an SJ Quigley goal. The junior’s redirection is her first score of the spring and her second point. This gave the Orange a two-goal lead entering the final quarter of play.

Duke wasn’t ready to let this one get away. Midfielder Darcy Bourne buried a loose ball two minutes into the fourth quarter for the Blue Devils. The freshman’s fourth goal of the spring made the deficit only one. However, strong defensive play kept Syracuse in front for the rest of the contest.

Syracuse next plays this Friday against Wake Forest. It is the Orange’s first home game of the spring. The game is set to start at 1:30 p.m.

@bespector | bespecto@syr.edu