Seniors Lead Orange to Program's Best Start

Sunday, October 18

J.S. Coyne Stadium

3 p.m.

Syracuse University

(15-0)

#19 Princeton

(7-5)

Princeton

Syracuse

10/18/2015 5:26:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

No. 1 Syracuse downs No. 19 Princeton to move to 15-0 on the year.

The No. 1 Syracuse field hockey team used a four-goal second half to rally from a 1-0 deficit against No. 19 Princeton (7-5), to defeat the Tigers 4-2 for the team's 15th-straight win to start the season.

The win for the Orange (15-0, 5-0 ACC) marked the best start in program history, passing the 2008 team's 14-0 start.

The Tigers controlled much of the first half, scoring on a rebound to net the game's first goal with three minutes remaining in the frame. Jane Donio-Enscoe scored for Princeton after a long hit near the cage was initially turned away by senior goalkeeper Jess Jecko.

The Orange were out-shot 7-3 in the first half, however turned up the pressure coming out of the locker room, firing 14 shots after halftime to Princeton's four.

Senior Emma Russell scored the equalizer with 23 minutes to play on a beautiful deflection of a hard pass from freshman Roos Weers. Weers sent a ball on from the near sideline which Russell chipped into the roof of the cage to tie the game at one.

Weers then scored one of her own five minutes later. After the Orange drew a penalty corner, Russell inserted a pass which was stopped by senior Alma Fenne and sent along to Lies Lagerweij as if she was going to shoot. However, Lagerweij drew the defenders towards the middle of the field and sent a pass behind her to a curling Weers who fired the go-ahead goal.

The Syracuse lead wouldn't stay intact for long though. Princeton's Ryan McCarthy scored on a backhand shot, which beat Jecko near post on a feed from Elizabeth George. The play was set up by a two-on-one break where the Tigers capitalized with 15 minutes to play in regulation.

But Syracuse answered right back. Laura Hurff scored on a rebound from a Liz Sack shot just 1:19 after the Princeton equalizer to give the top-ranked Orange the lead for good.

Senior Alyssa Manley provided 'Cuse an insurance goal with 6:26 to play on a penalty stroke to provide the final score.

Prior to the game, Syracuse honored its four seniors – Manley, Russell, Jecko and Fenne – who were each playing in their final regular-season contest at J.S. Coyne Stadium.

"You can look at the records of these girls on paper and their numbers are there," said head coach Ange Bradley. "But what really sticks out to me with this group are the intangibles. The leadership, the drive and the hard work that they've put in is what makes them special."

Next, Syracuse will hit the road for its regular season finale at No. 4 Duke on Saturday, Oct. 24, with action scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m.