Syracuse University
Niagara
Unbeaten Streak Goes to Four as SU Ties Niagara
9/13/2009 4:01:53 PM | Women's Soccer
Senior goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan posted her fourth consecutive shutout in Syracuse's 0-0 tie at Niagara on Sunday, Sept. 13. The Orange moves to 3-2-2 on the season, while the Purple Eagles are now 2-3-1.
Bennett-Hattan extended her streak of minutes played without allowing a goal to 380 in the tie. The shutout was the fourth of the season for Bennett-Hattan, who increased her school-record career total to 20.
“Both teams fought hard for the entire 110 minutes,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “We're creating many scoring opportunities, we just have to get better at finishing. We need to take better care of the ball and manage the game against a physical team. We did have a shutout which is a credit to the defense and the goalkeeper.”
The Orange controlled the first half, outshooting Niagara, 6-3, and taking four corner kicks to one for Niagara. Both teams had scoring opportunities in the second half, but couldn't find the back of the net. Bennett-Hattan had her most impressive stop of the day in the second stanza, preserving the tie and forcing overtime.
The Purple Eagles outshot Syracuse, 6-3, in the overtime periods, but Bennett-Hattan made three saves in the extra sessions for 0-0 final.
“Niagara was a hard-working team,” Wheddon said. “We matched their effort. Our intensity and effort were tremendous.”
Bennett-Hattan finished with seven saves, while Niagara's Ashleigh Bowers made eight stops. Syracuse had 16 shots and eight corner kicks, while the Purple Eagles recorded 15 shots and two corner kicks.
Syracuse opens BIG EAST play on Friday when it travels to Jamaica, N.Y. to face St. John's at 5 p.m.
