No. 11 Syracuse downs No. 16 Rutgers 2-0 in defensive clash
No. 11 Syracuse rode Bo van Kempen’s scoring streak and Aubrey Turner’s third career goal to a 2-0 win over No. 16 Rutgers. Ike Wood | Asst. Photo Editor
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After losing seasoned veterans Willemijn Boogert and Berber Bakermans this offseason, Syracuse had a multitude of questions to answer before its season opener on Aug. 29.
Who would replace the two? How would 17 newcomers integrate into a transitioning team? Which upperclassmen would see increased playing time?
While there isn’t a definitive answer to these questions, what is true is that SU’s offensive onslaught is an encouraging sign heading into conference play. Bo van Kempen has erupted offensively, Syracuse’s defense has been near impenetrable and its newcomers have contributed.
Those trends continued in the Orange’s first-ranked matchup of their campaign. No. 11 Syracuse (3-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) downed No. 16 Rutgers (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) 2-0, led by a stifling defense, van Kempen’s penalty corner goal and crisp ball movement. The Orange struck four minutes into the contest and never looked back, controlling the game’s pace and momentum.
“The positive (from the win) was the team play, I’m really proud of that,” SU head coach Lynn Farquhar said. “That’s what we have to continue to do.”
SU didn’t generate many scoring chances through the first few possessions but quickly marched downfield five minutes in. Off a penalty corner, van Kempen ripped a shot to the right of Rutgers goalie Emily Nicholls to put the Orange on the board. The ball was placed precisely past Nicholls for van Kempen’s 10th tally of the season.
In Syracuse’s first two wins over Lock Haven and Fairfield, van Kempen stood out for her historic scoring output. On Friday against Rutgers, however, her ability to direct traffic and command the offense was the most noteworthy. She acted as a “field general” on numerous occasions early on.
However, unlike their first two contests, where the Orange showcased stalled possessions and a relaxed sense of urgency on offense, added pressure by Rutgers to begin the second quarter led to struggles from SU’s frontline.
Within a matter of minutes, a switch flipped.
A stagnant offense turned into a fast-paced unit. Slow passes back-and-forth in SU’s own territory turned into crossfield dishes upfield.
It resulted in an Aubrey Turner goal.
From the left corner, Turner sliced through a Rutgers defender and easily knocked the ball past a diving Nicholls. Just off a few dribbles in and out of traffic, she took advantage of a Rutgers defensive lapse to double SU’s lead.
“Aubrey’s finish was beautiful. That was off us creating movement inside the circle,” Farquhar said. “Our goal came from looking to change the speed of the ball.”
Following a strong Syracuse debut with two goals, Turner continued her early-season success on Friday. She’s been a starter in all three contests, and her latest effort could lead to her being a mainstay in Farquhar’s starting lineup.
Syracuse’s fast-paced offense didn’t replicate its first two performances but still controlled the matchup’s tempo throughout.
Its defense, on the other hand, stymied a Rutgers attack that notched seven goals in its first two games. Whenever a Scarlet Knight had the ball, a crowd of Orange stood around it, leaving little breathing room. For the third consecutive game, Syracuse held its opponent shotless in the first half.
After a near-flawless first half defensively, Rutgers threatened to open the third quarter. Crisp passes and smooth ball movement led to a long possession for the Scarlet Knights, allowing them to methodically move upfield.
What once was a golden opportunity for Rutgers to cut its deficit in half ended in eerily familiar fashion: an SU takeaway. In a prevent formation, the Orange stopped Rutgers from finding any open scoring lanes, leading to yet another wasted possession for the Scarlet Knights.
On Sunday, Farquhar said SU’s defensive outing against the Stags featured a few significant “step-ups.” If that was a step-up, Friday was twice that. Rutgers even tried testing both corners of the field, but Syracuse didn’t flinch.
In the fourth quarter, SU’s pressure forced the Scarlet Knights into turnovers. Despite circle penetration by Rutgers’ offense, its inability to find quality looks and sneak one past Syracuse’s goalie led to errant passes and no shots on goal.
With seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Rutgers had its first penalty corner of the day. Puck Winter’s aim looked on-point, but her shot ricocheted off Taylor Bigbie and back to a persistent SU defense.
The waning minutes of the fourth quarter didn’t feature much action on either side, but one overlying trend held for nearly the entire quarter: SU being the more disciplined and intense squad. Little to no turnovers and strong defensive penetration contributed to the win.
The numbers may not have been as flashy as opening weekend, but SU was efficient and decisive all afternoon. Against a formidable opponent in Rutgers, that’s all it needed.
“Fifteen goals is not normal for a hockey game. You have to be able to put the ball in when it matters,” Farquhar said. “So a 2-0 score against Rutgers is great.”
