SU Field Hockey Bounces Back, Shuts Down Monmouth 3-0

By: Skyler Wilkes | @swilkes04

CitrusTV Field Hockey Beat Reporter 

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Seventh-ranked Syracuse Field Hockey came out on a mission this afternoon against No. 25 Monmouth. The Orange were aggressive offensively early on, putting six shots on goal less than halfway through the first. After taking 40 minutes to score two days ago, the ‘Cuse got on the board in just nine minutes today. 

Following an interception, SU went on the attack. Lana Hamilton then found Charlotte de Vries, who turned and backhanded a shot through traffic for her fourth goal of the season. Despite only scoring once in the period, the Orange took eight shots and landed six of them on target. 

50 seconds into the second quarter, Sabine van den Eijnden sent a crosser towards the left side of the net to de Vries. The senior then dribbled forwards, drawing the MU netminder, before sending it into the bottom right corner of the goal. It was nearly an impossible angle, but the All-American converted it for her first multi-score game of the year. 

Shortly after, Syracuse set up a short corner with Willemijn Boogert on the insertion. Upon entry, Laura Graziosi lured her defender before dishing it to Charlotte de Vries who geared up and fired a slap shot. The perfectly executed play earned the captain her second career hat trick and the third one by an SU player this season. 

The Orange went into halftime outshooting the Hawks 11-1 with seven attempts landing on goal. 

In the second half, both defenses flexed their muscles. Pressure from each side permitted just four tries combined. The ‘Cuse pitched their fourth shutout of the season and allowed the lowest amount of shots thus far. Although the score doesn’t reflect it, Monmouth goalie Phileine Hazen was phenomenal. The freshman saved eight of 11 shots on the net, single-handedly keeping MU alive. 

Nonetheless, SU improves to 5-1, securing its first ranked win of the year. Syracuse is back at home next week when Duke comes to town for a 5 p.m. game on Friday.