Syracuse Field Hockey Completes Comeback Against Cornell, 4-2

By Max Gifford | @GiffMD

No. 7 Syracuse University field hockey roared past Cornell for a 4-2 victory after falling behind for the first time all season. 

Cornell field hockey had been outscored 15-1 over its last four matchups with Syracuse dating back to 2019. In fact, the Big Red had been held scoreless in three consecutive games against the Orange. CU sought to flip that script and succeeded early in the contest; opening the game with two attacking penalty corner goals from its All-American Caroline Ramsey. 

This 2-0 lead marked the first time this season a team had taken the lead against the ‘Cuse. However, it was evident for  Lynn Farquhar and company in this CNY matchup there is no quit in New York. A penalty corner rip by Eefke van den Nieuwenhof and a Sportscenter Top-10 worthy scorcher from Hattie Madden knotted the two squads at two going into halftime.

“We like the suspense in New York,” said Head Coach Lynn Farquhar postgame. “[It was] a great night to play and [I’m] just really proud of the fight and the competitiveness we had.”

Out of the break, it became the Eefke van den Nieuwenhof game. The senior connected for two goals more goals on seven shots. It was also the back’s second hat trick of the season and it put her into a tie with Pieke van de Pas for the team lead in goals (6).

“We know that we can win, even though we’re down 2-0,” said van den Nieuwenhof. “I think it was very good for us to get some of that pressure, [and] know how it is to play when you’re down two goals.”

As for the Big Red, it became a one woman show in the final three quarters of play. CU goalkeeper Martha Broderick stood on her head collecting 10 saves on the night, while Cornell was outshot 17-0 over the final 45 minutes. 

“We just need to keep on connecting…When that ball moves, there’s some really creative [and] pretty hockey.”, Farquhar said.

This was the first of Syracuse’s two games against Cornell this year. Later in October, the Orange will visit Ithaca. A victory is a victory, but SU still has a hard week ahead of them. In the following four days, the ‘Cuse plays two games; first traveling to Lafayette on Friday and then returning to J.S. Coyne Stadium on Sunday for a midday clash with an old Big East foe in UConn. Sunday’s opening push is scheduled for noon.