Field Hockey Drops 2-1 Decision at No. 5 Syracuse
BOX SCORE
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior forward Liza Morgan gave University at Albany field hockey (3-1) a 1-0 lead in the second half, but the Great Danes couldn't hold on at No. 5 Syracuse and fell 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
“I thought we played very well,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “I thought in the first half we had six or seven great chances, and against a great team like Syracuse you have to convert on at least a couple. We were content with getting good looks and not finishing, and that's the growing pain of this game that we have to really get that first goal and hold on.”
The Great Danes earned the first penalty corner of the contest with 10 minutes gone in the first half. Midfielder Paula Heuser put a Laura Page stop on net, but Syracuse goalie Jess Jecko made the diving stick save.
Kelsey Briddell had another quality UAlbany look with 15 minutes gone in the first, as she made her way down the left end line. The freshman dropped the ball off in the middle, but no one was in front of the cage for the Purple & Gold.
With UAlbany fully in charge of the momentum midway through the first half, Echo Bretz found herself open on the left side on the counter, but Jecko again stepped in for the save. Emily White had a look on a rebound scramble in front of the net, but again came up empty.
Syracuse responded with its first penalty corner of the game with 13 minutes left in the first half. The Orange appeared to regain the momentum, but several critical saves by Maxi Primus kept Syracuse off the board.
Heuser continued to win the battle in the midfield throughout a physical first half, nearly connecting with Kelly Bonner shortly before time expired in the opening period.
The Orange had trouble moving the ball out of their defensive end to start the second half. Molly Mariano and Laura Page intercepted several Syracuse passes and headed to goal in the opening moments.
Emily White took the ball down the left side on one such interception, and found Liza Morgan in front of the goal for the tip-in and a 1-0 lead with 22 minutes left.
Syracuse did not go away quietly, pounding the circle for the rest of the half. Pahila Arnold broke up two Syracuse drives to maintain the lead. Heuser earned a penalty corner with 13 minutes left, as the Great Danes looked to run down the clock.
But the Orange came back down the field, and garnered a penalty corner of their own. Jordyn Homyak blocked the attempt with eight minutes left.
Syracuse scored its two goals six minutes apart, beginning the attack with 10 minutes left in regulation.
Maxi Primus had six saves in an impressive performance against No. 5 Syracuse. The Great Danes fall to 3-1 going into a 1:00 p.m., contest at Cornell tomorrow.
