Orange Field Hockey Secures BIG EAST Championship Berth Despite Setback

Sunday, October 21

Syracuse N.Y.

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

Connecticut

Senior forward Gloria Nantulya had one goal and one assist against Connecticut.

Orange Field Hockey Secures BIG EAST Championship Berth Despite Setback

10/21/2007 4:10:10 PM | Field Hockey

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Despite a 5-2 setback to the No. 6 Connecticut Huskies at J.S. Coyne Stadium this afternoon the 18^th ranked Syracuse field hockey team earned a BIG EAST tournament berth. With the loss the Orange moved to 12-5 on the season and 3-3 in BIG EAST conference play, while the Huskies improved to 16-2 overall and 4-1 in the BIG EAST.

Its 3-3 conference record knotted Syracuse with Villanova for the final spot in the conference tournament. Having defeated Villanova earlier in the season 4-2, Syracuse earns a spot in the BIG EAST tournament as the four seed. The Orange will face off against Connecticut or Louisville in the first round of the BIG EAST conference tournament which will be held Nov. 3-4 at J.S. Coyne Stadium.

Senior forward Gloria Nantulya recorded a goal and an assist and freshman forward Shelby Schraden contributed a goal but it was not enough to combat the high powered Connecticut offense, which out shot the Orange 14-6.

The Huskies came out firing in the first half, junior forward Lauren Aird scored two goals within the first 25 minutes giving Connecticut and early 2-0 advantage. Nantulya put the Orange on the board, tipping in a rebound to cut the Connecticut lead to one, 2-1.

With less than five minutes to play in the first half freshman midfielder Robin Kleine tipped in a shot from teammate Lizzy Peijs giving the Huskies a 3-1 lead at the break.

Syracuse came on strong out of the locker room, closing the gap two minutes into the second half. Schraden tipped in a shot off the stick of Nantulya pulling the Orange back within one, 3-2.

The game remained deadlocked until the 49:08 minute mark when Kleine extended the Connecticut lead, putting the ball past junior goalkeeper Heather Hess from a scramble in front of the cage. Senior forward Kristin Galuski insured a Connecticut victory scoring off the rebound to make it 5-2 Huskies.

Hess made seven saves in the cage for the Orange and moves to 7-5 on the season. Andrea Mainiero made two saves in the cage for Connecticut.

The Orange return to action this Thursday, October 25 at 7 p.m. when it hosts Cornell at J.S. Coyne Stadium. Seniors Brittany Angellella, Jessica Lerew and Gloria Nantulya and graduate student Leigh Fawcett will be honored in Senior Day ceremonies before the game.