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No. 10 Syracuse field hockey (2–0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) defeated No. 16 Penn State (0-2, 0-0 Big Ten) 2-1 backed by a strong defensive performance. SU’s victory comes a year after it secured a 2-1 win over the Nittany Lions in 2023. Syracuse extended its winning streak to six games against the Nittany Lions. SU was outshot by Penn State 8-7. Penn State also doubled the Orange on penalty corners, winning the battle 4-2.

After losing its season opener to Virginia, Penn State came out of the gates in attack mode, notching four shots in the first minute of the contest. Louise Pert, who has started the first two games of the season at goalie, recorded two early saves to help her team settle into the match.

With just under nine minutes to play in the first period, Syracuse struck first. Senior Willemijn Boogert intercepted an in-bounds pass deep in Penn State territory. As she made her way across the field, Boogert fired across her body and found the back of the net, just out of the outstretched reach of Penn State’s Aby Deverka. The unassisted goal was Boogert’s second in as many games.

Unlike against Lock Haven, when they tallied nine goals, the Orange’s offense vanished after the early score. Syracuse managed just three total shots on goal in the first half. But, Pert and the defense held down the fort. The Nittany Lions managed only two more shots for the rest of the half after the early outburst in the first 60 seconds.

The third quarter saw even less offense than the second. Neither Syracuse nor Penn State recorded a single shot throughout the 15 minutes. Meanwhile, SU head coach Lynn Farquhar continued her goalie plan that she showed against Lock Haven Friday. Despite Pert showing a strong performance in the first half, the senior was pulled at the half in favor of freshman Vera Hekkenberg. Pert finished with three saves in as many opportunities in the first half.

Halfway through the fourth and final period, Syracuse knew it needed some insurance. Bo van Kempen netted her third score of the season with under 10 minutes to go. The graduate student slapped one past Deverka’s stretched-out foot and just inside the left post coming off a penalty corner.

It was only the second penalty corner attempt of the game for the Orange. Both Boogert and Annabelle Vossenaar earned assists on the play.

With how stiff the defense had played for the first 50 minutes, a two-goal lead seemed to be safe. But, just minutes later, the Orange allowed their first goal of the season. Sophia Gladieux answered with a goal of her own to pull Penn State within one. Gladieux has scored both of her team’s goals this season. The senior recorded three of Penn State’s eight total shots of the contest. Hekkenberg finished the game with one save to go along with the goal allowed in the second half.

Despite the late scare, Farquhar’s team buckled down to finish off its second win of the season. Syracuse lost its top three goal scorers from a year ago. After Friday’s offensive outburst, it appeared the Orange wouldn’t be missing a beat.

Even though SU did squeak by enough to get the victory, it is still searching for who can be a consistent offensive force on its roster after only scoring two goals and struggling mightily in the second and third periods.

Published on September 1, 2024 at 5:41 pm