SU field hockey shuts out UConn to stay undefeated

The rain on Sunday did not stop the No. 9 Syracuse Orange field hockey team as it defeated the UConn Huskies 3-0. The Syracuse defense was on top of UConn from the start, only allowing two shots on goal on the afternoon.

“First thing we need is pressure on the ball. And I think we did a really good job of getting pressure involved very early,” said junior goalkeeper Brooke Borzymowski.

Borzymowski tallied two saves, both occurring during a streak of three penalty corners for the Huskies. She says the ongoing anticipation of what was to come helped her and her team stay focused throughout the streak.

“Not seeing a lot of shots throughout the whole game, we know that we’re always still ready for what’s about to come,” she said.

SU head coach Lynn Farquhar was also happy with how her defense stayed strong throughout the game and implemented what they’d practiced.

“We talked a little bit yesterday about what we wanted to do defensively and they implemented it right away, the whole unit,” Farquhar said.

The aggressiveness of the Orange defense toed the line a few times today with sophomore midfielder Lieke Leeggangers grabbing two green cards and freshman midfielder Bo Madden earning a yellow card.

According to Coach Farquhar, Leeggangers’ response to the call was what really stuck out to her.

“When she came back in, she had a composure and a corner right away, and then she’s inserting…how she responded is what I’m most proud of.”

On the offensive side, Syracuse didn’t get on the board until the second quarter. Junior midfielder Willemjin Boogert scored off of a rebound save after the fourth corner kick.

Photo by Jack Henry

Syracuse field hockey midfielder Lieke Leeggangers (6) breaks through the Uconn defense during the third quarter at Coyne Field on Sunday.

Senior back Eefke van den Nieuwenhof scored the second goal off of a corner penalty in the third quarter. Things were quiet after this until a goal by freshman forward Amber Coebergh with nine seconds left in the game, marking the first goal of her college career.

Farquhar credited UConn’s compact defense but said her team ultimately stayed focused to put points on the board.

“If you keep the ball moving, then you create that separation. So that was our message. And then when we did it, it worked.”

The Orange will take on the Duke Blue Devils this Friday in Durham at 6 p.m. They return to J. S. Coyne Stadium next Sunday where they will face the Wagner Seahawks at noon.