Orange Victorious at No. 12 American, 3-1

Sunday, September 30

Washington, D.C.

2 p.m.

Syracuse University

American

Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort set SU freshman records for goals and points in a season.

9/30/2007 5:40:14 PM | Field Hockey

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Syracuse freshman midfield Maggie Befort scored twice and set records for goals and points recorded by a freshman and senior forward Gloria Nantulya recorded one goal and one assist as the Syracuse Orange upended No. 12 American, 3-1, on Sunday, Sept. 30 at William I Jacobs Recreational Complex in Washington, D.C. The Orange improves to 10-2 overall while the Eagles move to 9-3. The 10-2 mark is the best record after 12 games SU has had since 2001 when Syracuse was also 10-2.

Befort’s two goals brought her season total to 10, setting the record for goals scored by a freshman. The previous mark of nine was set in 1982 by Erica Weinberg. Befort’s 25 points also tie the record for points by a freshman. Shelley Magee also registered 25 points in 1990.

“It is a great day to be a Syracuse field hockey player,” head Orange Coach Ange Bradley said. “We had a game plan in place and we executed it. Our seniors showed their experience and carried us through the pressure of the second half. It was a total team effort and I am really pleased with the result.”

Syracuse struck first with Befort depositing a long hit from the circle to the far post at 13:17. Nantulya was credited with the assist.

The squads remained scoreless for the first half, but American quickly tied the game two minutes into the second half as Maggie Hall beat the SU defense and drilled a shot past Orange goalkeeper Heather Hess.

“When times are tough the seniors really need to step up and take a leadership role and today we did that,” senior back Brittany Angellella. “It was a total team effort but the seniors really pumped up the team and pulled them through a tough stretch.”

Leigh Fawcett created an opportunity and sent a pass to Nantulya who’s hit through the circle went into the cage far post at the 43:59 mark.

Befort provided an insurance goal 10 minutes later, deflecting a shot by junior Brittany Shannon off a Syracuse busted corner play.

Hess registered 11 saves in her fifth victory of the season. Alyssa Poorman had two saves for the Eagles.

With a minimum of six games remaining on the schedule SU has already surpassed last season’s totals for goals, assists and points.

The Orange travels to Penn State for a midweek game on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m.