Bradley Era Begins with 6-4 Victory at Colgate

Saturday, August 25

Hamilton, N.Y.

2 p.m.

Syracuse University

Colgate

8/25/2007 5:46:30 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Photo Gallery

HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Ange Bradley era of Syracuse University field hockey got off to an explosive start on Saturday, August 25 with a season-opening 6-4 victory against Colgate at Tyler’s Field.

“It was a great team win,” said Bradley. “It’s what we have been working on all preseason. Opening the lanes and people get into the right positions anyone can score. Our attack has definitely taken shape. Overall I am really proud of the team today. They fought hard and got the win.”

Freshman Maggie Befort scored twice in her Orange debut. Senior Gloria Nantulya recorded the first goal of her career and added one assist to aid the effort. Seniors Brittany Angellella and Jessica Lerew and freshman Kristin Girouard rounded out the scoring for Syracuse. Graduate student Leigh Fawcett and freshman Shelby Schraden both recorded an assist. The six goals were the most SU has scored since it defeated Albany 6-0 in 2004.

“It was so exciting,” said Befort. “You prepare for this all summer and you finally get out there and get a chance to play against another team, it just felt great. After the first goal I wanted another and then after the second we got really hungry. I thank my teammates for giving me opportunities to put the ball in the cage.”

Colgate got the board 1:32 into the game. Amanda Gilmore shot on goal, but she was stopped by SU junior goalie Heather Hess. The ball rebounded off Hess’ pads and onto Lauren Remkus’ stick, and she found the back of the cage.

SU wasted no time in responding, as the Orange reeled off back-to-back goals within 2:26. Nantulya evened the scored at 1-1 at the 4:02 mark when she buried her own rebound. The second shot off a penalty corner resulted in Syracuse’s second goal, which was credited to Lerew.

Gilmore fed Remkus for the duo’s second goal of the game, which came 12:03 into the opening half. Gilmore crossed the ball to Remkus, who slipped it under a diving Hess.

Just over three minutes later, Colgate regained the lead after failing to convert a penalty corner opportunity. Maddie Watrobski dribbled the ball toward the goal, and dropped it off for Alison Waugh. Waugh crossed it to Nerbonne, who put it past the keeper. The assist was Waugh’s first collegiate point.

The Raiders held onto the lead for the next 11 minutes, but the Orange broke through with three consecutive goals to end the opening half. Befort scored twice within 3:21, with her first goal coming 26 minutes into the game. Schraden dribbled into the circle and crossed a pass to Befort on the left side. Less than three minutes before halftime, Girouard gave SU a 5-3 lead after a scramble in front of the cage.

The offenses kept rolling to start the second half. Remkus completed her hat trick 4:12 after the break after she stole the ball from an SU defender and shot it in, stick-side. Her goal brought Colgate back to within one, but the Raiders couldn’t hold on. SU regained its two-goal lead at the 42:51 mark when Angellella scored off a rebound by Fawcett. The defenses then took over to set the final score at 6-4.

Hess finished with three saves in just under 30 minutes of action, while SU freshman Christina Puggi made one stop in her 40:15 in the cage. Raider goalkeeper Sarah Pedersen made 13 saves on 19 shots.

The Orange outshot the Raiders, 34-12, including 19-5 in the second half, when Pedersen came up with nine saves. Syracuse received 16 penalty corners to Colgate’s nine. Watrobski made two defensive saves on the day.

The Orange returns to action tomorrow when it plays host to Massachusetts at 2 p.m. at Coyne Field. Live video is available via Orange All Access with Joel Godett (play-by-play) and SU freshman Lelia Sacré (color) calling the action. Live stats are free suathletics.com.