Takeaways from No. 9 Syracuse field hockey’s heartbreaker to No. 2 North Carolina
By: Sydney Chan | @SydneyO_Chan
No. 9 Syracuse field hockey played some of its best hockey of the season in a close 4-3 loss to No. 2 North Carolina last weekend. While the Tar Heels ultimately came out on top with a last-minute goal, the Orange battled hard, leaving several key takeaways to build on as they prepare for their final two regular season matchups.
1. Keep it simple
SU’s defensive effort was among its best all year, shutting down one of the nation’s most explosive teams for long stretches and handing UNC its first halftime deficit of the season. Still, as Syracuse head coach Lynn Farquhar noted, the unit sometimes overcomplicated its play, which led to mistakes that North Carolina capitalized on.
“I think where you saw it wasn’t as clean was when we tried to do a little too much,” Farquhar said. “For us, it’s teamwork that’s going to be the key.”
When the Orange focus on maintaining their structure and trusting one another, their backfield stays sharp and organized. That’s when they look and perform their best.
2. Clean up corners
After missing 14 straight attacking penalty corners in its previous game at California, SU finally broke through against UNC. The persistence paid off, showing growth in an area that’s been a season- and program-long focus. Though the Tar Heels struck first, the Orange responded quickly, with grad student Bo van Kempen netting her 19th goal of the season off the APC. Her score marked the team’s first penalty corner goal in 17 attempts.
The Cuse’s APC unit has been a major factor in van Kempen ranking second in the nation in goals per game (1.36) and senior Pati Strunk leading the country in assists (1.36), showing just how much of an edge it gives the Orange when executed at a high level.
3. Finish chances
Just minutes into the second quarter, senior Lieke Leeggangers sprinted upfield and connected with freshman Ally Snyder in the circle. After a scramble of sticks, Leeggangers knocked the ball into the back of the cage. Following a video referral, however, the umpires waved off the goal for a back-stick violation. The setback didn’t rattle the team, though. Less than two minutes later, Leeggangers netted her second goal of the season.
“That’s a great example of the whole squad deciding, ‘Hey, that’s fine. We’re just going to get another one’,” Farquhar said.
That bounce-back sequence showed SU’s resilience and confidence in its attack, a mentally it will need to carry into its next contests.
4. Maintain offense momentum
Syracuse’s willingness to push forward was one of its biggest positives, but Farquhar emphasized the importance of reacting quickly in transition.
“The adjustment would be to just get in your countershape faster,” she said.
When the Orange commit numbers forward, they need to reorganize faster behind the ball. That balance between aggression and structure will be key heading into the final stretch.
5. Build on strong defense
Even against the nation’s second-ranked team, the Orange’s defense stood tall for much of the contest.
“The press was outstanding,” Farquhar said. “That’s our whole defensive unit working together. The outletting was sharp; the ball was moving in and out. I think you’d say it’s some pretty hockey.”
On several of UNC’s attacking penalty corners, SU’s defense generated quick transition opportunities through junior Bo Madden and freshman Taylor Bigbie, two of the Cuse’s flyers. When the Orange stay connected through their press and rotations, they force turnovers, limit top scorers from finding rhythm, and allow the attack to move the ball quickly to put the opponent on their heels.
With just two conference matchups left, Syracuse has a pair of opportunities to reach the .500 mark before postseason play. SU travels to Chestnut Hill to face Boston College on Friday at 6. Follow @SydneyO_Chan on X for game updates and season-long coverage!
