Field hockey rallies to beat UMass Lowell in home opener

Sammie Goin solidified Syracuse field hockey win against  UMass Lowell in a 3-2 shootout to break in their brand new astroturf during their home opener this Friday afternoon at J.S. Coyne Stadium. 

During regulation, the No. 12 Orange had 18 shots on net and had five penalty corners. The Orange got the job done after regulation, holding on through overtime before earning the win in the shootout.

With a high energy start to the first quarter Syracuse maintained consistent and smooth passing in the backfield. Freshman defenseman Jess Liddell maintained control and continuously made fast clears out of the circle to keep momentum going. 

But right when the Orange started to slow down, they drew their first penalty corner of the game due to an intentional obstruction, sophomore midfielder Sammie Goin got her second goal of the season. 

The end of the first quarter came quickly after a failed penalty corner attempt by UMass.

UMass Lowell controlled the start of the second quarter, earning two penalty corners before finding the back of the cage less than a minute later to tie the game 1-1.

With all the momentum building on the opposing side, Syracuse attempts to turn the tides with a breakaway down the sideline. A River Hawk defender was shown a green card after an obstruction call.  

All efforts were not lost as the Orange were awarded two penalty corners back to back, and a UMass Lowell player was later given another green card to end the half. 

The second half opened with a strong offensive attack from Syracuse, with sophomore forward Ally Snyder working her way through a crowded defense, slipping past multiple defenders to reach the circle alone. 

UMass attacked back just as strong and around four minutes in they were awarded back to back corners due to the ball hitting the feet of the Syracuse defense. They were able to get a shot off on the second and it flew wide of the net. 

Both teams found themselves in a stalemate, until Syracuse finally broke through with less than two minutes remaining, converting its fourth penalty corner of the game into the equalizer. Sophomore midfielder Karsin Beatty scored her first goal of the season to bring the Orange level with UMass.

“At practice, our biggest thing is, we play corners out, so I had the opportunity,” Beatty said. “Gotta put the ball in the back of the net.”

Entering the fourth quarter, Syracuse’s momentum continued as freshman midfielder Belle van de Pas maneuvered around multiple defenders, creating space before breaking into the circle and looking for an opportunity to score. 

The green cards continued to pile up through the match, Syracuse finally drew one, as senior midfielder Bo Madden was shown one for stick obstruction.

Both teams maintained possession before Syracuse earned another penalty corner, but the opportunity went unanswered. Just 20 seconds later, UMass Lowell turned the momentum in a second, scoring its second goal to tie the game at two goals apiece.

Syracuse’s energy began to lull as UMass Lowell earned another penalty corner. Senior goalie Jessie Eiselin came up with a crucial save to keep the game tied and end the threat. 

Starting overtime with the ball, the Orange maintained possession and played safe. They only  got off one more shot that drifted wide of the net. In the final minute of overtime play, sophomore forward Aubrey Turner was shown her first yellow card of the game and the season. 

With no goal on either side, the teams entered shootouts. 

Neither team scored on its first shootout attempt, and UMass Lowell missed its second. Syracuse went up 1-0 after Madden spun around the goalkeeper to score.

UMass Lowell answered, but sophomore midfielder Taylor Bigbie put Syracuse back ahead. After another UMass Lowell response, Goin scored to secure the 3-2 shootout win.

Despite the victory, Syracuse head coach Lynn Farquhar said the team still has areas to improve as it moves forward as they continue to face hard opponents.

“Every day matters for us, and we’re trying a couple new things, and we just have to be better when we pull it out, and part of that is trusting in the process,” she said.

The Orange are already looking ahead to ACC play, with their next match on the road Sept. 25 against Virginia.