Friday, November 6
Charlottesville, VA
1 p.m.
Syracuse University
3
at
2
#5 Virginia
Russell's OT Winner Sends 'Cuse to Sunday's ACC Title Game
11/6/2015 4:13:00 PM | Field Hockey
Orange headed to final for second year in a row
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – The No. 1 Syracuse field hockey team (17-0) advanced to the ACC Championship game in thrilling fashion, behind senior forward Emma Russell's overtime game-winning goal to defeat No. 5 Virginia 3-2 in Friday's semifinal.
The goal was one of-of-two on the afternoon for Russell, who thrives in ACC Tournament play after setting the tournament goals record (five) during last year's ACC Championship.
The Orange now will play in their second-straight ACC title game against No. 3 North Carolina on Sunday after out-shooting Virginia 21-4 on the afternoon in the win.
"It was really just great athletes from two great teams in the best conference in the country going after it," said head coach Ange Bradley. "We were hoping to get some results on the back end and their goalie had a great game today. She made us work really hard to get the result that we were able to get."
Syracuse jumped out to an early lead in the contest, with ACC Offensive Player of the Year Alma Fenne getting the scoring started just-under 10 minutes into action.
After Liz Sack drove baseline and had her shot turned away, Fenne hit a one-timer backhand on the rebound across the goalkeepers body and into the top-right corner of the net.
The score would stay at 1-0 at the half, despite the Orange registering 11 shots and putting seven on cage.
'Cuse came out of the locker room firing again though, as Russell netted her first of the day three minutes after the break to up the lead to 2-0.
The play was setup by freshman Zoe Wilson, who recorded her second-career assist by driving baseline and finding Russell's stick for the score.
The Cavaliers wouldn't go away without a fight however, scoring two goals in the final-26 minutes of regulation. In both cases the Hoos had the attacking advantage, and managed to use a 2-on-1 situation to score.
Both teams successfully killed off extra-player advantages due to cards in the waning moments, including the Orange using a huge kick save from Jess Jecko to close out a green card.
With the score tied after 70 minutes of play, the Orange were sent to overtime for the second-straight game.
Six minutes into overtime, Russell ended the game after Laura Hurff collided with Virginia goalkeeper Rebecca Holden and the ball went back outside the circle and was picked up by Lies Lagerweij. The sophomore back drove baseline and sent a pass onto the stick of Russell, who buried the game-winning goal.
The Orange will now face No. 3 North Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The goal was one of-of-two on the afternoon for Russell, who thrives in ACC Tournament play after setting the tournament goals record (five) during last year's ACC Championship.
The Orange now will play in their second-straight ACC title game against No. 3 North Carolina on Sunday after out-shooting Virginia 21-4 on the afternoon in the win.
"It was really just great athletes from two great teams in the best conference in the country going after it," said head coach Ange Bradley. "We were hoping to get some results on the back end and their goalie had a great game today. She made us work really hard to get the result that we were able to get."
Syracuse jumped out to an early lead in the contest, with ACC Offensive Player of the Year Alma Fenne getting the scoring started just-under 10 minutes into action.
After Liz Sack drove baseline and had her shot turned away, Fenne hit a one-timer backhand on the rebound across the goalkeepers body and into the top-right corner of the net.
The score would stay at 1-0 at the half, despite the Orange registering 11 shots and putting seven on cage.
'Cuse came out of the locker room firing again though, as Russell netted her first of the day three minutes after the break to up the lead to 2-0.
The play was setup by freshman Zoe Wilson, who recorded her second-career assist by driving baseline and finding Russell's stick for the score.
The Cavaliers wouldn't go away without a fight however, scoring two goals in the final-26 minutes of regulation. In both cases the Hoos had the attacking advantage, and managed to use a 2-on-1 situation to score.
Both teams successfully killed off extra-player advantages due to cards in the waning moments, including the Orange using a huge kick save from Jess Jecko to close out a green card.
With the score tied after 70 minutes of play, the Orange were sent to overtime for the second-straight game.
Six minutes into overtime, Russell ended the game after Laura Hurff collided with Virginia goalkeeper Rebecca Holden and the ball went back outside the circle and was picked up by Lies Lagerweij. The sophomore back drove baseline and sent a pass onto the stick of Russell, who buried the game-winning goal.
The Orange will now face No. 3 North Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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