Syracuse field hockey scores twice in 3rd quarter to defeat Northeastern 3-2
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For a moment, it looked like disaster struck for Syracuse.
After completely dictating the first half of Sunday’s game, the Orange gave up two quick goals to Northeastern in the first seven minutes of the third period, surrendering the lead they’d held almost the entire first half.
For most of the third period, SU looked deflated, like a boxer who’d been punched in the mouth and accepted defeat.
But Syracuse punched back. Goals from Hattie Madden and Jovie Weaver put the Orange on top for good, as No. 9 Syracuse (2-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) took down Northeastern (0-2, 0-0 Coastal Athletic) 3-2 Sunday.
Syracuse jumped in front almost immediately, moving into the circle less than 30 seconds into the opening period for its first scoring chance. While Northeastern handled SU’s first threat, the Orange found themselves with another chance shortly after.
After Husky goalie Aiko Price kicked the ball out from a net-front scrum, it rolled to the stick of Ally Snyder, positioned on the baseline right of the goal. Snyder backhanded a pass into the center of the circle, where forward Taylor Bigbie was ready. Price reacted, but it was too late. Bigbie’s shot skipped right into the cage for her first career goal.
For the rest of the first half, Syracuse continued to stack opportunities. Penalty corners, breakaways and even two simultaneous Northeastern green cards couldn’t help the Orange beat Price, who didn’t allow another goal.
On the other side of the field, when the Huskies managed to break through in the first half, Syracuse goalie Jessie Eiselin was ready, saving both shots she saw.
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When halftime rolled around, it felt like the plethora of missed opportunities might cost SU, and three minutes into the second half, those thoughts began to gain traction.
Northeastern immediately applied pressure to Syracuse, mimicking SU’s early play in the circle during the opening three minutes of the first half. Northeastern further added to its imitation when Husky midfielder Alex Mega found space on the right side of the circle. When Maggie Lundy’s pass found her, she easily beat SU goalie Tane King, tying the game.
Three minutes later, things went from bad to worse for Syracuse. On a benign penalty corner, Camille Armaganian stepped up and easily picked up her second penalty-stroke goal in as many games, putting Northeastern ahead 2-1.
Having been punched in the mouth twice in short succession, the Orange switched to another gear. When Northeastern’s Jessica Garden was assessed a green card, Syracuse went to work. One minute into the advantage, Aubrey Turner and Madden found themselves in a two-on-one.
It was the kind of chance the Orange had been lacking all day. But this time, they capitalized. Turner drew Northeastern’s goalie Ibby Welldon out, slid the ball left to Madden, who tapped it in to tie the game.
Syracuse barely had enough time to properly celebrate, as it drew its seventh penalty corner of the game 40 seconds later. On its first six attempts, SU had missed.
But the seventh proved to be Syracuse’s lucky number. Madden nearly became the hero for the second time in less than a minute for Syracuse, but she hit the post. The ricochet fell to freshman Jovie Weaver, who scored SU’s game-winning goal for the second time in as many games.
The game was far from over, though. In the fourth period, Northeastern responded with the same urgency SU had just minutes prior. Sloppy defense from Syracuse gave the Huskies penalty corner after penalty corner; nine in the period.
Syracuse calmly controlled two in quick succession, yet the Orange were hit with bad news. Defender Jess Liddell was assessed a green card, and Northeastern, playing with the player advantage, looked poised to match SU.
The Huskies continued earning penalty corners, and on their third straight attempt, caught King out of position. With a wide-open net, it seemed Northeastern would level the game. Instead, Lucy Walton mishit her shot, allowing SU to clear it away.
After Liddell reentered the game, Syracuse was on autopilot, stopping the last four penalty corners. SU pushed forward with a two-player advantage in the dying seconds of the game. Turner’s pass to Bigbie was off the mark, but the play was emblematic of Syracuse’s play. Despite the missed opportunities, the Orange barely came away with a win and stayed undefeated.
