#20 Spartans Upset #2 Orange in NCAAs

Saturday, November 16

Syracuse, N.Y.

11:30 a.m.

Syracuse University

(16-4)

Michigan State

(14-9)

Michigan State

Syracuse

Alyssa Manley scored for Syracuse in the loss.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

11/16/2013 3:37:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Despite a 21-4 shot advantage, No. 2 Syracuse field hockey suffered a 2-1 upset at the hands of No. 20 Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament first round on Saturday at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The Orange concludes the season with a 16-4 record, while the Spartans improve to 14-9 and will face the No. 4 Connecticut, which defeated No. 11 Boston College, 2-1 in overtime, on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Coyne Stadium.

The loss ends the Oranges 45-game home winning streak that dated back to 2009.

In a game controlled by the Orange throughout, the Spartans were opportunistic with their limited scoring opportunities, scoring on two of their three shots that were on goal, while MSU goalkeeper Molly Cassidy kept her team in the game with 10 saves.

Kristin Matula scored the game-winning goal for Michigan State with 18:17 remaining when she brought the ball into the circle on a 2-on-1 against SU goalie Jess Jecko and found the back of the net for her second goal of the season.

Abby Barker opened the scoring in the sixth minute for the Spartans, taking a pass in the left side of the scoring circle from Allie Ahern and netting her team-high 18^th goal of the season.

The Orange converted on a penalty corner in the 29^th minute to tie the game, 1-1. After Cassidy made the initial stop on Leonie Geyer's shot, Alyssa Manley pounced on the rebound and lifted into the back of the net for the sophomore midfielder's seventh goal of the season.

The Orange kept steady pressure on the Spartans defense for most of the closing minutes of the contest, but could not beat Cassidy for the equalizer.

Syracuse's senior class completes their careers as one of the most successful classes in program history, amassing a 70-16 record, two conference regular season titles, two conference tournament titles, four NCAA Tournament appearances and one Final Four (2012).