Devastating defeat in Charlottesville
In what was 12th ranked Syracuse’s biggest game of the year, the Orange fell to fourth-ranked UVA 3-2 in penalty strokes. Coming into the contest, Syracuse hadn’t beaten Virginia in 11 straight tries. It seemed like the Orange were going to snap the streak leading 2-1 with three minutes left to go in the contest, but it was all for not. The loss marked the second defeat of the year in penalty strokes for SU.
In the first quarter, there was next to no action with UVA tallying the only shot of the game and no corners being given.
Yet, in the second, things started to pick up. With just under four minutes left to go before halftime, Berber Bakermans netted her first goal of the campaign to put SU up by one. Bakermans was assisted by Hattie Madden. The goal also carried a good stat for Syracuse, with the Orange being an undefeated 8-0 when scoring first this season. Headed into halftime, SU held a one goal lead over UVA.
Yet, just under four minutes into the second half Virginia would equalize. UVA’s Emma Watchilla weaved her way through a few defenders and eventually scored her fifth goal of the year tying the game at one. The Cavalier lead didn’t last for long though, with who else but Bo van Kempen putting SU back in front of an attacking penalty corner. Similar to the first goal, another positive stat for the Orange came to light. Coming into the contest, Syracuse was a perfect 10-0 when scoring an APC goal.
But, once again it was all for not. After UVA pulled goalkeeper Nilou Lempers with under eight minutes to go, the SU defense was put under siege. The DPC unit could only bend for so long, before breaking and letting up the game-tying goal with under four minutes to go. UVA’s Jans Croon slotted it home, assisted by Emily Field and Meghen Hengerer. Nothing would happen in the next three minutes, sending the game to overtime.
Similar to the first quarter, there were no shots or corners for the first 19 minutes of both overtimes. Yet, in the final minute of double OT, the Orange nearly scored. SU’s Aiden Drabick had the cage starring here in the face, Field made a defensive save to keep the Cavaliers in the game. Syracuse would get a late APC chance with less than 10 seconds to go in the contest, but van Kempen would pull her shot wide. With no scoring in 20 minutes of extra time, the game was sent to penalty strokes.
After the coin flip, it was determined Virginia would shoot first, and Syracuse would go second. The Orange were lucky to still even be in the game after the first three rounds, missing all three of their strokes. However, UVA would only score once making it 1-0 Cavaliers headed into round four. In the fourth round, Virginia’s Abello would score first making it 2-0, but van Kempen would get SU on the board to make it 2-1. In the very next round, Watchilla would miss and Bakermans would score, leveling the shootout at two. With the standard five rounds down, the order would flip, making Syracuse shoot first to start round six. Head coach Lynn Farquhar sent out van Kempen once again, and she would deliver, giving the Orange a 3-2 lead. Yet, Noa Boterman would tie it up on the very next shot to make it 3-3 heading into round seven. Bakermans would shoot first and miss, leaving the door wide open for UVA. They say lighting strikes twice, and that was most definitely the case for Abello who beat Pert to give Virginia the win 4-3 in penalty strokes.
Syracuse is off for a week before resuming action next Thursday at Bucknell.
