Julie Williamson becomes Syracuse’s first field hockey student-athlete to have number retired
Julie Williamson becomes program's first field hockey number retired
Syracuse field hockey (12-2) defeated Cornell (6-5) by a score of 5-0, but that was not the story of the day as three-time All-American Julie Williamson became the program’s field hockey student athlete to have her number retired.
“I feel so honored to be part of this today,” Williamson said. “Obviously, the jersey says nine and it says Williamson on the back, but that is just a representation of the sea of women who have put in blood, sweat and tears over time going way back.”
In 1993, Williamson became the first Syracuse student athlete to be selected to the United States national team. She made her debut against Germany and scored her first international goal against France that summer.
“I am just so happy for them,” Williamson said of other Orange players following in her footsteps to the national team. “I am so proud to see Syracuse athletes continue to strive and work so hard and reach those levels.”
Forever enshrined at Coyne.
🍊🏑 x #lygc pic.twitter.com/CnkAVC0NuL
— Syracuse Field Hockey (@CuseFH) October 9, 2022
Williamson became the fourth female student athlete to have her number retired at Syracuse joining basketball star and current Orange women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack, lacrosse legacy Katie Rowan Thomson and successful rower Anna Goodale. These women defined Orange Athletics during their time at Syracuse, coming from three different eras.
“I recognized that field hockey has meant a ton to my life,” Williamson said. “Syracuse field hockey as well because some of the greatest women I had as mentors here in my life truly. To have that and to be able to learn from that and grow from that, it goes beyond going showing up to practice and playing on the field.”
There was still a game to be played and it was a great one if you’re an Orange fan as Syracuse scored five unanswered to get the win. The Orange attack was led by forward Sabine van den Eijnden who netted her first hat trick of her collegiate career to double her season goal total to six. The Orange also added goals from forward Quirine Comans and midfielder Willemijn Boogert.
“Just super happy to score three goals in the match and obviously I am happy with the win,” van den Eijnden said. “We played really well today there were spaces, so we were connected very well so it was nice to be upfront and good things can happen.”
The Orange continue to the lead the nation in shutouts as they grabbed their ninth of the season. The defense had another shut down performance conceding just three shots with one on target and one penalty corner.
“I think just that we are pressing the ball pretty well and able to keep the ball within our system and to giving the opposition a lot of opportunities, so they are doing a solid job,” Syracuse head coach Ange Bradley said of what has led to the Orange leading the nation in shutouts.
😳😳😳😳😳
💻 – @ACCNetwork Extra (https://t.co/PCpNJQVQwQ)
📊 – https://t.co/WjIcD5lhOd pic.twitter.com/vDzcLQHkhF— Syracuse Field Hockey (@CuseFH) October 9, 2022
The Orange finish the season against four ranked opponents with their next contest on Friday against the undefeated No. 1 ranked North Carolina at 3 p.m. in Chapel Hill, NC.
“It is a good opportunity and we are looking forward to being able to play some ranked competition and it will be a good testament to how much we have grown in the last couple of weeks, so looking forward to it,” Bradley said.
is a contributor for The NewsHouse.
