Syracuse Loses Final to Wake Forest, 2-0

Sunday, November 9

Durham, N.C.

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

(15-5)

#11 Wake Forest

(14-6)

Syracuse

Wake Forest

11/9/2014 3:31:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Magic runs out in the ACC Championship final

DURHAM, N.C. – The magical run for the No. 6 Syracuse University field hockey team ended on Sunday afternoon with a 2-0 setback to No. 11 Wake Forest in the 2014 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship final at Jack Katz Stadium on the campus of Duke University.

"It was a great weekend for play," head coach Ange Bradley said. "I think it's an amazing learning experience. Playing in the ACC Tournament does nothing but prepare a team for a Final Four, it's like a Final Four experience. Unfortunately, we did not get the result we wanted. I want to congratulate Wake Forest on the win and being the ACC champion. We had a great time down here at Duke and are looking forward to awaiting a bid to the NCAA Tournament."

The first sixth seed to ever advance to the ACC Championship final, Syracuse (15-5) avenged two of its regular season losses en route to the tournament final, including a stunning 3-2 overtime victory against No. 1 North Carolina. Syracuse fell short in the final and Wake Forest (14-6) earned its first ACC crown since 2006.

"Today, Wake Forest played a very aggressive game and they did a really good job in managing us," added Bradley. "We didn't do a good job of taking care of the things we knew we had to take care of to match up against Wake Forest. We learn from that, move on, and be better."

Wake Forest got on the board on its first two shots of the contest. Redshirt senior midfielder Christine Conroe struck first in the 15th minute. Four minutes later, graduate student midfielder Georgia Holland finished off a penalty corner to push the Demon Deacons ahead, 2-0.

Freshman midfielder Laura Hurff had the best opportunity of the first half for the Orange. 22 minutes into the game, Hurff collected a pass inside the circle and put a shot on net. Wake Forest junior goalkeeper Valerie Dahmen made a diving stop to keep Syracuse off the board.

The Orange had multiple challenges in the latter 35 minutes of action, but could not convert. Three Syracuse shots made it on net in the final five minutes of play, but Holland turned away each shot to secure the win for the Demon Deacons.

Junior midfielder Alyssa Manley, graduate student forward Kati Nearhouse, and junior forward Emma Russell were recognized on the All-ACC Championship Team.

The Syracuse University field hockey team awaits its postseason fate as it looks to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will air at 10 p.m. on NCAA.com. Syracuse will be en route home from the ACC Championship at the airing of the broadcast and will find out its seeding upon arrival.