Syracuse grabs first ACC win of season vs. BC

By Sam Rothman

CitrusTV Field Hockey Reporter

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse entered Friday’s matchup against ACC rival Boston College on a three-game ACC skid. The Eagles arrived at J.S. Coyne Stadium after shutting out their last three opponents. Both teams left the turf with broken streaks.

Syracuse (7-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast) grabbed its first ACC win of the season after defeating Boston College (7-4, 2-2) 2-1 in double overtime. After yet another slow start to the game, the Orange came out for the second half reenergized.

“I think in the second half the space opens a little more,” said senior Roos Weers. “We tend to have that a lot of games, a little more space in the second. I think it says something about our fitness and our will.”

For the fourth straight contest, Syracuse tallied their first score in the second 35 minutes.  The difference in this game, SU wasn’t behind their opponent, and now held a 1-0 advantage.

Ten minutes into the second half, Boston College was awarded their second penalty corner of the game. The initial shot by Carly Kauffman was blocked, and Elizabeth Dennehy’s second chance opportunity flew high over the net.

After fending off that chance, Syracuse quickly turned defense into offense. Claire Cooke scored her first goal of the season on the opposite end of the field. The sophomore’s shot marked the first score BC gave up in 240 minutes of play.

“We got it out quick,” said Head Coach Ange Bradley. “We had some linkup which was really nice to see, and Cooke was in the right place at the right time. She was in the area where we practice everyday, and it was really rewarding for me as a coach to see what we’ve been practicing put into competition, especially in an ACC game. It was really fun for me to watch.”

That lead wouldn’t last long. Boston College responded with the tying goal nine minutes later. From that moment on, the Eagles started spending more time in the Syracuse zone applying offensive pressure. But, they couldn’t put one past Borg van der Velde as the sophomore stood tall in net while the defense blocked shots in front of her.

“They’re very scrappy,” said Weers. “But, we really focused in today, and Borg had a good game. I think we stepped up well as a defense.”

For the third straight time at home, Syracuse found itself taking the field for overtime. After failing to convert on three penalty corner chances in the second half, the Orange capitalized when it mattered most. Roos Weers fired a shot past BC goalie Sarah Dwyer for her sixth goal of the season. Bradley’s squad stormed the field in celebration of their fourth straight win at home and their first conference victory of the year.

“It’s awesome anytime you win,” said Bradley. “I don’t care if it’s overtime or regulation, it’s really good that we won on Coyne. We won our first ACC game and that’s what our objective was on the night, to find a way to win and get it done. And they did.”

Syracuse looks to continue its success on home turf as it hosts Cal on Sunday at 2 p.m.

sbrothma@syr.edu | @samrothman_