Field Hockey Looking to Knock Off Third Nationally-Ranked Opponent This Week
9/24/2004 12:39:50 PM | Field Hockey
SU HOPING TO BUILD ON MILESTONE WIN AGAINST PENN STATE
Syracuse is flying high following Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime win against No. 17-ranked Penn State. The Orange has won three-straight contests and is looking to knock off its third nationally-ranked opponent in a week when it matches up against No. 9-ranked Boston College. Last Sunday, SU defeated then No. 18-ranked Hofstra, 2-1 in penalty strokes. On Wednesday, the Orange recorded its first-ever win against Penn State, who prior to this game, had won 19-straight meetings with SU and dominated the all-time series, 21-0-1.
SERIES WITH BC
This will mark the 19th meeting between Syracuse and Boston College on the field hockey field. It is the last time these two teams will meet as members of the same conference, unless they meet in the BIG EAST Tournament, because the Eagles are joining the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) next season. Syracuse holds a 12-6 advantage in the all-time series with BC, however the Eagles have won the last two meetings, including last season’s 3-1 decision in Boston. The last time SU beat BC was 2001.
SU’S DEFENSIVE UNIT BEGINNING TO GEL
Fifth-year senior Betsy Wagner is in her second season as SU’s starting goalkeeper. She has significantly lowered her goals against average from a season ago from 2.03 to 1.86. Her save percentage has increased from .702 to .788. Last year, Wagner finished the season with 87 total saves. She has already amassed 52 saves this season with 11 games still remaining on the schedule. Sophomore Jess Wreski has looked like a seasoned veteran at the sweeper position despite this being her first season as a starter. Senior Lindsay Kocher, junior Joanne Lombard, sophomore Nikki Wojton, junior Jessica Dahle and senior Lindsay Peirson all work to limit the number of shots Wagner faces.
