Orange Lose To Huskies in Double OT in NCAA Quarters

Sunday, November 13

2 p.m.

Syracuse University

(15-4)

UConn

(22-1)

OT 3

OT 4

UCONN

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

Orange Lose To Huskies in Double OT in NCAA Quarters

11/13/2016 5:08:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Cuse TV - Highlights Cuse TV - Low angle highlights Photo Gallery

After a hard-fought comeback that equalized the score with under five minutes remaining in regulation, the No. 3 Syracuse field hockey team (15-4) gave up a goal in the second overtime period, losing to No. 6 Connecticut (22-1) 3-2 in the NCAA Quarterfinal.

Trailing for more than 30 minutes in the second half, Syracuse mounted a late surge to score the equalizer and threaten on even more occasions in the waning moments and overtimes, but the Huskies defense turned away the Orange's potential game-winning chances and the Huskies netted the winner five minutes into the second overtime period.

"First off, credit to UConn for advancing to the final four," said head coach Ange Bradley. "They have a stingy defense and it took a while for us to figure out how to manipulate and beat it, but as time went on we were able to do that. I was proud of our kids because they didn't quit and we were able to get back in it."

The loss concludes the season for the Orange, and closes the careers of the 2016 senior class, which is just is one-of-five classes in program history to win 70 games in their career and finishes with the third best winning percentage in program history (.824).

The Huskies got on the board first, scoring in the 23rd minute off a deflection from a corner. Charlotte Veitner tapped in the goal from the near post after Anna Middendorf sent the ball in.

Syracuse quickly provided the answer though, with Serra Degnan laying out and deflecting a shot from Lies Lagerweij into the top-left corner off an ensuing corner. The equalizer came just 1:25 after UConn scored the first goal.

At the end of the half, the Huskies earned their fifth penalty corner of the frame as time expired in the period. Bringing every player into the offensive zone to complete the corner, Casey Umstead scored off a rebound from the initial corner shot and sent the Huskies to the locker room with a 2-1 advantage.

Syracuse displayed resiliency throughout the second half, finally breaking through with 4:15 remaining in regulation. After another earned corner play, Roos Weers fired a hard, low shot that made its way past UConn netminder Nina Klein and tied things up. Nijsje Venrooy and Serra Degnan recorded assists on the play.

'Cuse continued applying pressure into the end of regulation, when UConn's Barbara Hoogen earned a 10-minute yellow card, sending Syracuse a player up for the end of regulation and first-seven minutes of overtime. It was one-of-seven cards totaling 39 penalty minutes in the contest.

UConn managed to kill off the penalty time with strong defense, and earned a corner offensively in the first overtime, but Regan Spencer was up to the challenge in cage and turned it away. She made five saves on the day.

The Orange continued the pressure in the second overtime, recording the first offensive chance. Syracuse out-shot UConn 8-3 after halftime, but the Huskies controlled the final total at 10-9.

The one shot UConn recorded in the second overtime managed to bounce the Huskies way, crossing the goal line with 5:34 expired in the final overtime period. It was Vietner again who scored the game winner, knocking a bouncing ball past Spencer.