Syracuse University
Pacific
Ryan's Overtime Goal Lifts Field Hockey to First Win, 2-1, Against Pacific
9/6/2004 2:27:24 PM | Field Hockey
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Sophomore forward Meg Ryan (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield HS) had a goal and an assist, including the game-winning goal just 4:02 into overtime, to give the Syracuse field hockey team its first win of the season, 2-1, against Pacific at Coyne Field. The Orange improved to 1-2 on the season, while Pacific's record changed to 3-3.
The two teams played to a 0-0 tie after the first 35 minutes. Syracuse was first to get on the scoreboard just 3:27 into the second half when sophomore forward Ashley Fry (Douglassville, Pa./Oley Valley HS) took a crossing pass from Ryan and dodged Kim Myers, Pacific's diving goalkeeper who came out to challenge. It was Fry's first goal of the season and second of her career.
With just under 12 minutes left to play and her team clinging to a 1-0 lead, Syracuse head coach Kathleen Parker sensed her team was losing its focus and that Pacific was gaining some momentum. She called a timeout to give her squad a break and to remind them what they needed to do the rest of the way.
But, it was the Tigers that capitalized on the timeout. On a penalty corner, Pacific sent a short pass out to Megan Haas, who lifted the ball towards the Syracuse cage. SU goalkeeper Betsy Wagner (Cherry Hills, Colo./Colorado Academy) batted the ball down to the ground, but Lindsey Rovai was there to push in the rebound for Pacific and tie the score at 1-1.
In overtime, both teams turned the ball over before SU senior forward Meredith Gettel (Rehrersburg, Pa./Tulpehocken HS) used her ball-control skills to weave up the right sideline, past a couple of defenders. She delivered a centering pass right to Ryan's stick. It was Ryan's first goal of the season and second of her career.
Myers finished with three saves for Pacific, while Wagner saved one shot for Syracuse. The Tigers held an 8-7 advantage in shots and a 5-4 edge in penalty corners.
The Orange will next be in action on Friday, Sept. 10, against nationally-ranked Michigan. The team will stay in Ann Arbor to face perennial field hockey power Old Dominion on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m.
Syracuse 2, Pacific 1 (Overtime
Syracuse 0-1-1=2
Pacific 0-1-0=1
First-Half Scoring: None
Second-Half Scoring:
SU - 31:33 - Ashley Fry (Meg Ryan)
P - 10:58 - Lindsey Rovai (unassisted)
Overtime Scoring:
SU - 10:34 - Meg Ryan (Meredith Gettel)
Shots: Pacific 8, Syracuse 7
Saves: Pacific 3 (Kim Myers), Syracuse 1 (Betsy Wagner)
Penalty Corners: Pacific 5, Syracuse 4
