Syracuse field hockey regroups for win over Wagner

The Syracuse University women’s field hockey team defeated Wagner College 5-1 after allowing an early lead from their unranked opposition. 

A cloudy afternoon at JS Coyne Stadium brought on an uncharacteristic first period for SU. Surely enough, the Orange quickly shifted to put up five goals by the end of the fourth, as well as shutting down any further action in their defensive circle.

Graduate midfielder Charlotte de Vries, co-captain for SU, insisted during a post-goal huddle that her team avoid being too chaotic, and reminded them they much time left to play as it was so early in the game. De Vries added that she implored her team to maintain “focused on creating something positive”.   

Soon enough, the Orange’s positives started to shine through on the field. 

Senior back Eefke van den Nieuwenhof scored off an assist from fellow senior back Sienna Pegram to tie the game during the second period, when a penalty corner gave them an opportunity to gain their confidence back. 

The shots on goal would not stop for the Orange. In the second period alone, a total of three goals were scored. De Vries doubled the score after she split the defense with incredible stick and ball control inside Wagner’s defensive circle to reach the back of the net. Less than four minutes later, she found the back of the net again, scoring off a rebounded save. 

“Honestly, I didn’t want to do the whole thing by myself, I just kept seeing spaces open up, and so I was going with what my gut told me to do,” de Vries said of her performance.

Photo by Jack Henry

Junior forward/midfielder Vivian Rowan (#3) sprints along side a Wagner opponent to get back on defense on Sunday.

Syracuse kept the third quarter in their pocket. Wagner was unable to snag a penalty corner, let alone even a shot on goal since the first period. Meanwhile, Syracuse kept on rolling. 

The Orange tallied two more goals in the period. De Vries lifted up into the goal for her third of the day off a pass from freshman midfielder Cato Schreinemacher. Freshman forward Hattie Madden got a final look in to give Syracuse a 4-goal lead. 

As time ran out in the second half, Syracuse University ended on top. An astonishing 28 shots on goal for Syracuse, and 6 for Wagner, demonstrated who really dominated the field.

It was a different type of game for SU compared to Friday’s ACC opening loss to Duke. De Vries emphasized the importance of bouncing back from the result and gaining some confidence, while also noting the team still has a lot to work on.

The Orange returns to JS Coyne Stadium to play the University of Virginia this Friday, at 2pm.