Field hockey secures 3-2 win over Stanford with fourth-quarter goal
Field hockey secures 3-2 win over Stanford with fourth-quarter goal
Taylor Bigbie scores the go-ahead goal in the fourth quarter as the Orange rallies from two deficits to defeat the Cardinal.
Taylor Bigbie’s fourth-quarter goal lifted Syracuse field hockey to a 3-2 victory over Stanford, securing the win on Friday afternoon at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The No. 14 Orange recorded 11 shots and earned four penalty corners in the win.
The Orange came out playing on the defensive as the defense continued to make smooth passes to one another to try and break through Stanford’s pressure. The ball made it to sophomore defender Chloe Page who cleared it to Bigbie who was unable to maintain possession.
The Cardinal were able to break through Syracuse’s midfield making a swift drive towards the circle. They were able to reach the net but were swiftly stopped by Syracuse’s senior goalkeeper Jessie Eiselin.
This did not sway Stanford. They continued to pressure the Orange but their defensive line held strong.
Freshman defender Jess Liddell helped anchor Syracuse’s defense, keeping pressure on Stanford’s attack and protecting the Orange’s net.
Building offensive momentum, senior forward Hattie Madden broke away and carried the ball down the field into the circle, but her shot was saved by Stanford’s goalkeeper. On the rebound, Madden shot again only for it to go wide of the net.
As Syracuse pushed for another scoring opportunity, Stanford stole possession and scored to take the lead.
The Orange responded by earning their first penalty corner of the game in the final minutes of the first quarter, but their shot sailed wide of the net.
The first quarter ended with another offensive drive from Syracuse that came to nothing.
Stanford opened the second quarter on the attack, pushing toward Syracuse’s circle in search of another goal. Eiselin shut down the Cardinal’s attempt with a stick save.
Looking to spark Syracuse’s offense, Madden carried the ball into Stanford’s circle, but the Cardinal stopped her advance and cleared the ball. Building off this, Madden then found the back of the net, tying up the score.
Madden kept Syracuse’s offense moving with a pass to sophomore forward Aubrey Turner, who sent a shot toward the net in search of a tip-in, but the ball fell short.
Soon after, Stanford earned its first penalty corner. Eiselin made two saves to keep the Cardinal at bay, but Stanford found the back of the net on its third attempt, making the score 2-1.
After regaining the lead, Stanford maintained possession and kept the ball away from Syracuse. The Orange remained on the defensive for the rest of the quarter, struggling to create scoring opportunities.
Syracuse came out of halftime looking to regain momentum, keeping Stanford out of its circle. The Orange pushed into the Cardinal’s circle, where sophomore forward Ellis Cannon fired a shot just wide of the goalpost.
Syracuse kept up the pressure, and Turner delivered from the top of the circle with a powerful shot to tie the game once again.
As the game intensified, both teams grew more physical in their fight for the win. But the Orange embraced the challenge, leaning into the grit that has defined their play.
“We’re a very gritty team, and elbows don’t faze us,” Bigbie said.
The third quarter ended with the score tied 2-2, leaving both teams with one quarter to pull ahead and secure the win.
Syracuse carried its gritty play into the fourth quarter, matching the intensity it built in the final minutes of the third.
After drawing multiple penalties off of Stanford, Syracuse got its third corner of the game. Stanford’s defense held, clearing the ball out of the circle before Syracuse could get a shot off.
As the minutes ticked down both teams started to get desperate in their play. Stanford regained possession and moved the ball along the sidelines as Syracuse applied defensive pressure.
Syracuse continued to push and earned a penalty corner. Liddell shot the ball at the top of the circle looking for Bigbie at the post, who finished the play to score Syracuse’s third goal of the night and give the Orange their first lead of the game.
“We knew it was gonna happen, and we already knew it was a goal before it happened,” Bigbie said.
Before the final whistle, Syracuse earned one last penalty corner and got a shot off, but Stanford’s goalkeeper made the save.
The Orange’s late-game push reflected the importance of staying focused in close games. Head coach Lynn Farquhar said the team emphasizes the small moments.
“We just have to remind them, it’s all the little moments, and we don’t know what moment’s gonna matter the most,” she said.
The Orange have a quick turnaround and are looking towards their next match on Oct. 24th against University of California at J.S. Coyne Stadium.
is a Digital Producer for The NewsHouse.