Seven-Goal Second Half, Eight-Point Days Propel No. 8 Syracuse Past Vermont, 9-1
By Max Gifford | @GiffMD
No. 8 Syracuse field hockey (2-0) took the first two of its opening weekend, culminating with a 9-1 blowout over Vermont (1-1) on Sunday. With the Orange clinging to only a one-goal lead through the first half-hour of play, this game looked like it would come down to the wire; the opposite narrative ensued.
SU was led to victory with the help of a seven-goal second half. Along with outshooting the Catamounts 18-3 in the final 30 minutes, the Orange converted on a third of their total shots (27) in the afternoon.
Leading the charge for the ‘Cuse was graduate student Pieke van de Pas and senior Eefke van den Nieuwenhof, who each tallied identical eight-point performances with three goals and two assists. The two are the first Syracuse players to record seven or more points since Quirine Comans back in September of last season against Columbia. The midfielder and back are also tied for 6th most points in a single game in program history.
van de Pas made her presence felt on the pitch all afternoon. After her stellar performance, the former Dutch Promotieklasse player already has an ACC-leading 11 points in only two games. As for van den Nieuwenhof, in addition to a penalty stroke to put Syracuse ahead 3-1, the co-captain capitalized on two of the Orange’s eleven attacking penalty corner chances.
Also making headlines in Burlington, the Madden sisters, Bo and Hattie each collected their first collegiate goals. In the cage, sophomore Abby Neitch substituted in her second consecutive game for the final 15 minutes and made her first NCAA save. Additionally, SU midfielder Lana Hamilton registered her second multi-point point day after dishing out two assists on the day. The ‘Cuse also rotated Eleven players off the bench, including most notably Leah Morrison and Jannemijn Deutman, who made their season debuts.
Vermont held tight with Syracuse until the floodgates opened after the halftime huddle, with its only score from the German forward Sophia Lefranc. The UVM goalkeeper Lauren Halenkamp stood on her head all afternoon and came up with a career-high five stops in net, but the high-flying SU offense showed to be too strong.
Next for the Orange is the homecoming for Lynn Farquhar, as the head woman makes her home debut next Friday with first push from J.S. Coyne Stadium slated for 4 p.m.
