Locked out of Coyne
Syracuse field hockey has started off the season 2-1, with both victories coming on the road. SU started off the year with a 9-0 thrashing of Lock Haven, and then took down 16th ranked Penn State two days later 2-1. Yet, in Syracuse’s first game back at Coyne stadium, the Orange were pummeled 5-0 by 14th ranked Ohio State. Some might think that SU falling at home is something new, but in its last four matches at Coyne stemming back to last season, Syracuse has lost. So, who has come out victorious in the 315, and what are the chances that these home losses continue? Let’s dive into all of this and more.
Sept. 22, 2023, #6 Virginia 3, #10 Syracuse 2
Syracuse was riding high coming into this game. The Orange were 6-1 on the year, with the only blemish being a 4-0 loss at Duke. UVA would jump ahead early into this one, with two goals in nearly 11 minutes between the first and second period to take a 2-0 lead. SU would rally all the way back, tying the game by way of a Pieke van de Pas rocket which marked her seventh goal of the season. In the end though, the Cavaliers would find the back of the cage in double overtime to mark the Orange first home loss in 13 games.
Oct. 13, 2023, #3 North Carolina 4, #13 Syracuse 1
At this point in the season for the Orange, they were sliding and needed to fix things fast. Syracuse had just dropped a game on the road to #14 Harvard 6-5, and were on the verge of dropping its second straight contest at Coyne. Safe to say, things did not go according to plan for SU in this contest. Even though Syracuse ended up leading this game in shots and corners, It was all UNC throughout. The Tar Heels would put up four goals before Syracuse got on the board. This matchup highlighted the Orange’s struggle against ranked opponents.
Oct. 27, 2023, Wake Forest 2, #10 Syracuse 1
Out of all the games on the list, this one is the most heartbreaking of all. Syracuse had a simple task at hand, take down an unranked opponent on senior day at home in the season finale. Coming into this contest, Wake hadn’t taken down an ACC opponent all year. The Demon Deacons jumped ahead early, netting their first goal just about 17 minutes into the game. Shortly after the start of the second half, SU’s Willemijn Boogert would equalize, evening the contest at one. There would be no other scoring the rest of the game, with SU falling in penalty strokes 5-4. This loss at the end of the year described SU’s 2023 season fittingly, falling just short in the big moments.
Sept. 8, 2024, #14 Ohio State 5, #10 Syracuse 0
The struggles at Coyne continued in SU’s home opener this past Sunday. Ohio State came to play, scoring in the first 90 seconds of the game. The first half would be more of the same, with the Buckeyes netting two more goals to put the deficit at 3-0. Ohio State also dominated possession in the first 30, not allowing Syracuse to have an attacking penalty corner. OSU would tack on two more before the end of the contest to earn its first win ever at Coyne stadium.
Syracuse’s upcoming home slate
The Orange have a couple of favorable matchups at home this weekend before hitting the road for four straight games. SU is set to play two unranked opponents in Northeastern on Friday and Lafayette on Sunday. These two home contests could spark some momentum for the Orange ahead of opening conference play against second ranked North Carolina in Chapel Hill next Friday.
