#5 SU Drops ACC Opener at #17 BC, 6-3

Friday, September 20

Chestnut Hill, Mass.

4 p.m.

Syracuse University

(6-1, 0-1ACC)

Boston College

(6-1, 1-0ACC)

Syracuse

Boston College

Emma Russell pressures at the Buckeyes' goal.

Emma Russell scored twice and added an assist in SU's first loss of the season.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

9/20/2013 5:51:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Box Score | Season Stats

NEWTON, Mass. - Despite a 19-6 shot advantage, No. 5 Syracuse field hockey (6-1, 0-1 ACC) lost, 6-3, at No. 17 Boston College (6-1, 1-0 ACC) on Friday afternoon. Emma Russell factored into all three Orange goals with a goal and two assists, while six different scorers accounted for the Eagles' goals.

The Eagles scored four straight first-half goals between the 24^th and 29^th minutes, erasing a 2-1 Syracuse lead and putting the hosts in control, 5-2. The Orange was able to score a late first-half goal to pull within two, 5-3, but the Eagles shut out SU in the second half while tacking on an insurance goal to win, 6-3.

Syracuse controlled the play throughout, putting 13 of its shots on goal to BC's six, but Leah Settipane made 10 saves for the Eagles. Penalty corners also went the way of the Orange, 9-3.

Leonie Geyer, the reigning ACC Player of the Week, started the scoring for Syracuse just 3:42 into that game, blasting a shot by Settipane on a penalty corner. The senior's fifth goal of the season was assisted on by Jordan Page and Emma Russell.

The Eagles answered less than two minutes later when AshLeigh Sebia knotted the score, 1-1, with her second goal of the season.

Russell gave the Orange a 2-1 lead in the 16^th minute when Leonie Geyer found the sophomore following a penalty corner for her fourth goal of the season. Geyer, who came into the week tied for the NCAA lead in assists per game (1.0), notched her team-high seventh of the season on the play.

The Eagles then scored four goals in a 4:28 span to take a 5-2 lead. Virgynia Muma started the run with a goal off a rebound, followed by Brittany Sheenan, Chapin Duke and finished off by Eryn McCoy's goal on a penalty corner shot.

Russell's second goal of the game and of the season came with 2:29 left in the first half when she knocked home the second rebound following a penalty corner, sending SU into the half down two.

The Orange was not able to find the back of the net in the second half, while Sarah Hospodar tacked on another BC goal with 9:46 remaining to close the scoring at 6-3.

Five cards were handed out in the game, all coming in the second half and four charged to Boston College, including a yellow card to Paige Norris.

Syracuse returns home to host national champion and No. 6 Princeton (3-1) on Sunday at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The 3 p.m. contest will be televised live on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel and online via Orange All Access at SUathletics.com.