Honoring Eight Careers in Orange
By: Sydney Chan | @SydneyO_Chan
Tomorrow night, Syracuse field hockey honors eight seniors and grad students and celebrates the legacy, leadership, and passion they have brought to the program. Meet the honorees:
#6 Lieke Leeggangers (Sr.) | Dongen, Netherlands | Midfield/Forward
A two-time captain and four-year member for the Orange, Lieke Leeggangers has been a steady and impactful presence in SU’s midfield, appearing in all 20 games in 2024 with 18 starts; and opened her senior campaign on the NFHCA Preseason Watchlist. Known for her vision, consistency, leadership, and speed, she puts her all into every play and has been instrumental in the Cuse’s transition game throughout her career. Leeggangers is always relentless in winning the ball back and delivers sharp feeds into the circle, creating opportunities for her teammates and setting the tone for Syracuse’s attack.
#8 Aiden Drabick (R. Sr.) | Ambler, Pa | Midfield
Aiden Drabick has been a reliable leader in the Orange midfield, appearing in all 20 games last season with 19 starts. A three-time selection to the NFHCA Preseason Watchlist (2023-2025), she directed 13 shots on target in 2024 and provided stability between both ends of the field. Despite battling injuries earlier in her career, Drabick has brought energy, composure, and versatility throughout her time at Syracuse, now wrapping up her third year with the program.
#12 Lottie Knights (Gr.) | Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England | Defense/Midfield
Lottie Knights joins Syracuse this season after attending The Perse School in Cambridge, England and has primarily served as right back for the Orange. She delivers precise balls down the sideline and timely traps near the midfield, helping transition play and setting up opportunities for her teammates.
#13 Liz Stange (Gr.) | Hamburg, German | Forward/Midfield
Liz Stange brings international experience and an attacking spark to SU this year, after playing a season at Rutgers, where she appeared in 14 games and scored a pair of goals, including a game-winner against Michigan State. Before college, she earned All-Star honors in Germany in 2015 and was part of the national championship team in 2018. At Syracuse, she has been a key part of the attacking penalty corner unit, helping make clean stops at the top of the circle.
#16 Bo van Kempen (Gr.) | Zevenaar, Netherlands | Defense
In her second year in the 315, success at Syracuse field hockey has been synonymous with Bo van Kempen, whose leadership and play have anchored the Orange throughout her career. Serving as the Cuse’s center back and a captain this year, she combines composure on defense with a potent offensive presence. Last season, she was a First Team All-ACC selection, playing and starting 19 games. She led SU in points (33) and goals (15), with a majority of her damage coming on penalty corners, converting 13 times, and going two-for-two on penalty strokes. She accounted for nine-game winning goals, ranked second nationally, and tied for 14th in Division 1 in goals per game (0.79); while ranking eighth in the country and second in the conference in defense saves. This year, she’s already recorded 37 points on 17 goals, well ahead of the team’s next-highest scorer, who has five goals. She’s earned two ACC Offensive Player of the Week honors this season and sits at second in the nation with goals per game (1.70), further cementing her status as one of the most dynamic two-way players in the country.
#17 Pati Strunk (Sr.) | Neuss, Germany | Forward/Defense
In her second season with the Cuse, Pati Strunk has made an immediate impact for the Orange. Before joining Syracuse, she was one of the Mid-American Conference’s top players at Kent State, earning First Team All-MAC honors in 2022 and 2023 and being named MAC Freshman of the Year in 2022. With the Orange, she often plays as the left back; but like van Kempen, she is also a key part of SU’s attacking penalty corner unit, serving as the primary inserter. She ranks second in the nation in assists per game, averaging 1.40.
#18 Danique Schuurman (Gr.) | Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands | Defense
Danique Schuurman joins the Cuse for her first season and has added defensive toughness and sharp instincts to the Syracuse squad. She often operates in a center defensive mid role, recovering balls from the backfield and feeding them forward to the midfield and attacking lines. Schuurman has also contributed two goals and an assist.
#19 Lana Hamilton (Sr.) | Odenton, Md. | Midfield/Forward
Lana Hamilton has been a consistent and versatile threat for the Orange since her freshman year. She’s recorded seven assists and a goal this season, including the game-winning score against No. 20 Penn State last weekend with less than 30 seconds remaining. In high school, Hamilton was one of Maryland’s top players, earning NFHCA High School All-America honors in 2021 along with All-Region, All-State, and All-Met recognitions. Her athleticism and attacking creativity have made her a reliable playmaker for SU.
No. 6 Syracuse hosts Colgate tomorrow night at 5, and the seniors and grad students will be honored postgame. A win would move the Orange to 8-0 in non-conference play, marking their first unbeaten non-conference regular season since going a perfect 10-0 in 2016. Make sure to follow @SydneyO_Chan on X for live updates!
