Final Four Bound

Sunday, November 16

Syracuse, N.Y.

2 p.m.

Syracuse University

(17-5)

#6 Penn State

(16-6)

Penn State

Syracuse

11/16/2014 4:51:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Syracuse defeats Penn State, 3-1, to advance to its third Final Four

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The No. 4 Syracuse University field hockey team advances to its third Final Four in program history after a 3-1 win against No. 6 Penn State in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon at J.S. Coyne Stadium. It marks the second time in three seasons that Syracuse will play in the national semifinals.

"We were outstanding," head coach Ange Bradley commented. "We moved the ball incredibly well. We moved well off counters. I thought our passing game was really good today. It hasn't sunk in yet. I'm just so proud of these women. They are a really special group."

Syracuse (17-6) used three-first half goals to stymie Penn State (16-6) and advance to the Final Four. Senior forward Lauren Brooks, junior forward Emma Russell, and freshman forward Lies Lagerweij all scored in the team's quarterfinals victory.

For the second straight contest, the Orange scored in the opening 10 minutes to take an early advantage. Freshman forward Laura Hurff found an open Russell in the scoring circle in the sixth minute of play. Russell scored her 20th goal of the year to put the squad ahead 1-0. The Enniskerry, Ireland native now ranks third in program history with 41 career goals.

14 minutes later, the Orange was back at it. Brooks put a shot into the far post to give Syracuse a 2-0 lead. It marked the senior forward's 40th goal of her collegiate career, which ranks fifth in school history.

The team closed out the half with a goal from Lagerweij in the 29th minute. Graduate student forward Kati Nearhouse sent a ball across the circle and Lagerweij tapped it in for the team's final tally of the day.

Junior goalkeeper Jess Jecko was phenomenal in goal for the Orange. Jecko made seven saves on the game and did not surrender a goal until the 69th minute of play when Penn State senior forward Jenna Chrismer scored. For the second day in-a-row, Jecko made a diving stop on a penalty stroke.

Penn State redshirt senior goalkeeper Kylie Licata turned away 15 shots from the Orange on Sunday afternoon. 18 of Syracuse's 19 shots came on goal in the quarterfinal win.

The Orange will take on No. 1 North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament semifinals on Friday, Nov. 21 in College Park, Md. at 2 p.m. All session tickets for the Final Four are $18 for adults and $14 for youth, seniors, and students. Single session tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth, seniors, and students. To buy tickets online, visit umterps.com.