Syracuse University
RV Northeastern University
Late Goal Propels Syracuse to Victory in Season Opener
8/28/2009 5:21:33 PM | Field Hockey
Box Score
BOSTON – Junior forward Shelby Schraden's late goal helped the No. 3 Syracuse Orange field hockey team to a 2-1 victory at rv Northeastern in the season opener for both squads on Friday afternoon at Sweeney Field. The Huskies led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a goal from Meg Sweeny, but could not hold the lead in the second half as junior forward Lindsey Conrad tied the game and Schraden won it with just more than three minutes remaining.
“We showed character and came from behind. We found away to win and that is always a good thing,” head coach Ange Bradley said. “Northeastern played a really good game of field hockey and for us to come out with a win was tremendous.”
Northeastern grabbed the lead on a penalty corner 13 minutes into the contest. Sweeney passed the ball to the top of the arc to a waiting Pam Aldridge, who set the ball up for Crystal Poland to take a shot. The freshman launched a laser toward the front of the Syracuse net and Sweeney redirected the ball past Syracuse graduate keeper Ashleigh McGowan to give NU the lead.
Syracuse produced a good scoring chance with 15 minutes left in the first frame as sophomore forward Heather Susek's 14-yard blast was kicked away by Husky keeper Lizzie Priest.
Trailing at the half, Syracuse came out hungry in the second stanza and wasted little time applying relentless pressure on the Northeastern end. The Orange had a great chance to tie the game when junior midfielder Lena Voelmle was left wide open in front of the net, but the ball hopped over her stick and out of harm's way.
Only seconds later, however, Syracuse found the back of the net as Conrad dug out a loose ball in traffic and beat Priest far post for the equalizer.
Northeastern nearly regained the lead eight minutes later, but a Carolyn Malloy drive was turned aside by freshman keeper Leann Stiver.
Hard work in the Husky end eventually paid dividends for the Orange as sophomore midfielder Martina Loncarica zipped a pass through the defense and found Schraden for the game winner.
The Orange remains on the road and return to action at New Hampshire on Sunday, August 30 at 1 p.m.
