Eiselin’s masterclass not enough in No. 9 SU’s 2-0 defeat to No. 3 Duke

By Josh Rothert | @joshrothert

DURHAM, N.C. – Number 9 Syracuse field hockey (6-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) was looking for a major bounce back after a 4-2 loss to a ranked Wake Forest on Sunday. The Orange surrendered multiple goals on the defensive penalty corner for the first time this season.

However, 3rd-ranked Duke (8-2, 4-0 ACC) foiled those plans with a healthy barrage of shots on Orange netminder Jessie Eiselin and a pair of second-half goals to knock off the ‘Cuse 2-0 on Friday.

It was an attrition of shots that kept the Orange from maximizing on a stellar performance by the senior goalie.

SU managed its lone penalty corner of the game in the first quarter, during a player-up advantage after Duke back Juliette Schulten made an aggressive challenge and was shown a green card.

Syracuse sophomore Elisa Carvajal received the inserted pass but Duke forward Kyle Massey operated the DPC to perfection, flying in and wearing the shot attempt to force the turnover.

That was the best set look the Orange had at the net.

Duke, on the other hand, had a variety of looks in the first half, most sprung by one of the program’s top-10 leading scorers, Alaina McVeigh.

Perhaps the most promising look Duke had in the first half was on a McVeigh breakaway, where she sliced through two Orange defenders and made a beeline for the net before Eiselin embarked for the bouncing ball and thwarted the attempt.

Eiselin was most active in the second quarter, saving five Duke shot attempts to keep the game even at the break.

But in the third, Duke found the cracks finally.

On a corner, junior Madison Beach collected the entry and whacked a bouncer past a diving Eiselin for the first score.

SU had no response. The Orange were held without a shot attempt in the second half.

For insurance, Blue Devils sophomore Shae Wozniak added a rebound on another penalty corner, flicking home a rebound while diving towards the turf.

Eiselin finished with a career-high ten saves on twelve attempts, but SU was held to a season-low four shot attempts, continuing the downward progress since ACC play began. SU had six shots against Virginia and five at Wake Forest.

Syracuse hosts Louisville next Friday at 1:30. Live updates can be found on X @joshrothert.