Orange Downs Duke in OT, Captures Regular-Season Crown

Saturday, October 24

Durham, N.C.

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

(16-0 (6-0ACC))

#4 Duke

(11-5 (2-4ACC))

OT 2

Syracuse

Duke

Orange Downs Duke in OT, Captures Regular-Season Crown

10/24/2015 4:46:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

'Cuse finished the regular season a perfect 16-0.

Following Alma Fenne's game-winning goal in overtime, the No. 1 Syracuse field hockey team (16-0, 6-0 ACC) capped off a perfect regular season by winning the regular-season ACC title and earning the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament and accompanying first-round bye.

Syracuse will now play the winner of No. 4 Duke and No. 5 Virginia in the ACC Semifinal on Nov. 6.

"I think this is something so special that none of these women will ever forget," said head coach Ange Bradley. "To go 6-0 in the best conference in the country and tested on a weekly basis against the best teams in the nation and be able to finish the regular season undefeated at 16-0 is special. We'll enjoy this for a day and then get back to scouting Syracuse and continue to improve. I just want to congratulate my coaching staff, support staff and an incredible group of women who've worked very hard and accomplished something special."

After playing 70 scoreless minutes, the Orange went to overtime for the second time in 2015. The extra frame lasted 8:59 before Fenne ended the contest with her 13th goal of the season from six yards out on a low shot past Duke goalkeeper Lauren Blazing.

It was one of 13 shots on cage for the Orange on the afternoon, compared to the Blue Devils' two.

The Orange held Duke scoreless in the first half, while goalkeeper Jess Jecko was tested twice after halftime, including a sprawling save with 11 minutes to play in regulation to preserve the clean sheet and provide 'Cuse with its sixth shutout of the season.

On the offensive end, Syracuse managed to keep consistent pressure on the Blue Devils, with eight shots on goal in the first half and four in the second. Overall, Syracuse out-shot Duke 16-9, while the teams tied in corners with four apiece.

"I think Duke pressured us very well," Bradley said. "We knew we were in for a defensive battle and had to be patient."

The undefeated regular season is just the 10th in the history of Syracuse athletics and first women's program to complete the feat. Men's lacrosse (1922, 1924, 1957, 1984, 1988, 1990), football (1959, 1987) and men's basketball (1913-14) stand as the only previous teams to do so. The Orange field hockey team also played the most games (16) to accomplish the feat of any of the squads.

Next the Orange will have to wait until Friday, Nov. 6 to return to the field, when the team will take on the winner of Duke and Virginia in the first semifinal at 1 p.m. That game will be televised on RSN and ESPN3.