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No.3 Virginia Tops No.4 Syracuse 2-1 in Thrilling Fashion on Sunday

Photo Credit: Syracuse Athletics
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 3 Virginia field hockey team (6-0, 2-0 ACC) remains undefeated after beating No.4 Syracuse (6-2, 0-2 ACC) 2-1 on Sunday (Sept. 21) at J.S. Coyne Field in Syracuse, N.Y.

Goals (Assist)
15:00 Syracuse — Pati Strunk (Danique Schuurman)
42:55 Virginia — Frederique Vernooij (unassisted)
59:06 Virginia — Mia Abello (unassisted)


HOW IT HAPPENED

The first quarter saw five shots and four shots on goal from Syracuse with Virginia goalkeeper Nilou Lempers recording three saves. With four seconds remaining in the opening quarter, Syracuse earned its third penalty corner in 15 minutes for which Pati Strunk was able to find the back of the net to put the Orange up by one heading into the second quarter.

At the half, Syracuse notched a total of eight shots with five shots on goal. Lempers save count increased to four as Virginia was able to fend off Syracuse’s strong attack to keep the score at 0-1 heading into the second half.

The intensity, especially from the Cavaliers, picked up in the second half of the game. With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Virginia earned a penalty corner on which freshman Frederique Vernooij was able to find the back of the net to level the score at 1-1. Syracuse responded with a corner of its own in the 44th minute of play but was unable to covert. With one minute remaining in regulation, a penalty stroke against Syracuse gave Virginia the opportunity it needed to take the lead as junior Mia Abello drilled one into the back of the net. Unable to respond in the final seconds, the No.3 Virginia Cavaliers topped the No.4 Syracuse Orange to remain undefeated.

Starting in goal, Virginia’s Lempers recorded a total of eight saves while facing eight shots on goal while Syracuse’s starting goalkeeper, Jessie Eiselin, faced zero shots and thus did not record a save while off the bench Syracuse’s Tane King recorded five saves and allowed two goals.


NOTES
  • Freshman Frederique Vernooij netted the first goal of her collegiate career
  • Junior Mia Abello scored her third goal of the season and 12th of her career
  • Virginia goalkeeper, Nilou Lempers, recorded eight saves to eight shots on goal
  • Syracuse starting goalkeeper, Jessie Eiselin, recorded zero saves while off the bench, Tane King recorded five saves
  • Syracuse held the edge in both shots (13-10) and shots on goal (9-8)
  • Syracuse earned seven penalty corners to Virginia’s three

FROM HEAD COACH OLE KEUSGEN
“Super proud of the team and this win! An ACC double header with the travel was a tough weekend but we handled it well. In the first half we played too lethargic and without the necessary fire to get scoring opportunities. We changed that in the second half and got it done. It was a huge team win where everyone contributed!”
ON THE HORIZONThe Cavaliers ​continue ACC play as the team travels out to the west coast to take on Cal on Friday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. ET at Maxwell Family Field in Berkeley, Calif. and Stanford on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. ET at Standorf Varsity Field Hockey Turf in Stanford, Calif.

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