Field Hockey Heads to ACC Semifinals After Overtime Win Versus Duke
By Tara Arya
CitrusTV’s Field Hockey Beat Reporter
The Orange opened the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament against Duke in Chapel Hill. The two teams met earlier this season in an offensive battle where Duke got on the board early and Syracuse responded, ultimately beating the Blue Devils 4-3 on the road.
Similarly, today Syracuse fell behind early again. Within the first two minutes Duke scored the first goal of the game and showed they were coming for revenge. Later in the first quarter, Duke built on their lead and scored again, going up 2-0 before 15 minutes of play were up.
Syracuse had to heat up if they wanted to keep their postseason alive. In the second quarter, Laura Graziosi capitalized on a penalty corner and cut the Orange’s deficit down to one with ten minutes to go in the half.
In the third, the ACC Defensive Player of the Week showed her versatility with a game tying goal. Eefke van den Niewenhof scored the goal that would later send the game into overtime. After an incredible save to win the game against Louisville last week, van den Niewenhof sent the game into overtime against the Blue Devils.
Overtime didn’t last long and the Orange would ultimately score three unanswered goals to win the game. In the 62nd minute, Laura Graziosi slapped one in to clinch the game and send the team into the ACC Tournament Semifinals.
Syracuse finished the game with 14 shots and nine saves and hope to keep the momentum of today’s game as they head into their matchup tomorrow.
The Orange face North Carolina tomorrow at 4 p.m. on the Tar Heels home turf. They fell to UNC 1-0 earlier this season.
taarya@syr.edu | @TaraArya98
