Field Hockey Recaps - Syracuse University Athletics

November 5
The 2007 Syracuse field hockey season ended with a 2-0 loss against No. 4 Connecticut in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship on Saturday, November 3.

The Orange ended the season with 12 victories, the most since 2001.

First-year Orange coach Ange Bradley was voted as the BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year, the league announced at its annual field hockey awards banquet Friday night. Back Leigh Fawcett was selected to the conference’s first-team and senior forward Gloria Nantulya was named to the second-team.

Fawcett was also named to the BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament for her exceptional performance against eventual champion Connecticut in the semifinals.

The 2007 regular season was one for the record books. For starters, the Orange captured a 4-3 victory in its season opener against Colgate – SU’s first season-opening victory since 2002. Riding the momentum, the Orange powered to a 7-1 mark, which broke the record pealing back to 1990. Syracuse’s overall current record of 12-6 posts a season-best since 2001. And on a side note, four of their six losses have been by just one goal.

Syracuse tallied an impressive 54 goals; a mere four shy from the 1990 record of 58. The ‘Cuse also held a national ranking of No. 18 on October 9th and 16th, which was its highest since October 12, 2004.

SU saw three of its players set records amidst this season’s success. Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort finished the season with 35 points, putting her at a tie for fourth on SU’s single-season chart. The freshman stand-out also tallied 11 assists overall, ranking her at a tie for sixth on SU’s single-season chart. Befort set the record for most points ever scored by a freshman, and most points scored by a player since 2001. She also set the record for most goals ever made by a freshman (12), and became the 12th player ever to record three assists in a single game.

Nantulya found the offensive side of the field very rewarding. Nantulya finished the regular season with 30 points on 11 goals and eight assists ranks eighth all-time on SU’s single-season points list.

Befort and Nantulya are only the second pair of Syracuse players to record 30 or more points in the same season. The last pair of players to hold this honor was in 1990.

Fawcett had a successful season at back for the Orange. Her 15 assists are second all-time on SU’s single-season chart.

Fawcett and Befort are another tag-team of SU players to set a record. The two make only the second pair of SU players to record 11 or more assists in the same season. The last pair of SU players to meet this goal was in 1988.

October 29

BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP: The Syracuse Orange (12-6, 3-3 BIG EAST), who finished fourth in BIG EAST, will serve as the host institution for the 2007 BIG EAST Championship. The Orange will host BIG EAST regular-season champion No. x Connecticut (18-2, 5-1 BIG EAST) in one of the BIG EAST Semifinals, on Saturday, November 3 beginning at 1 p.m. No. x Louisville (14-5, 5-1 BIG EAST) and No. x Providence (12-7, 4-2 BIG EAST) compete in the other semifinal at J.S. Coyne Stadium at 11 p.m. The two winners will then square off in a noon game November 4. The champion will receive the leagues’ automatic bid to the 16-team NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship.

REGULAR SEASON RECAP: Ange Bradley’s first regular season with the Orange one for the record books --

• The Orange won its season opener for the first time since 2002.

• SU was 2-0 for the first time since 2001.

• Syracuse went 5-0 for the first time since 1997.

• The Orange’s 7-1 mark was the best since 1990.

• SU’s current record (12-6) is the best since 2001.

• Syracuse’s 12 overall wins are the most since 2001.

• The Orange’s three BIG EAST victories are the most since 2005.

• Syracuse’s 54 goals are the most since the Orange scored a school record 58 in 1990.

• SU’s No. 18 ranking on October 9 and 16 was its highest since October 12, 2004.

• The Orange are in the BIG EAST Championship for the first time since 2005.

RECORD SETTER: Back Leigh Fawcett is also setting records for the Orange. Her 15 assists are second all-time on SU’s single-season chart, one behind Maggie Fitzpatrick (1988).

BEST FRESHMAN EVER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort was a major factor in Syracuse’s regular-season success --

• 35 points - tied for fourth on SU’s single-season chart.

• 11 assists - tied for sixth on SU’s single-season chart.

• Most points scored by a player since 2001.

• Most points ever by a freshman - Shelley Magee registered 25 points in 1990.

• Most goals (12) ever by a freshman - Erica Weinberg scored nine times in 1982.

• Became 12th player ever to record three assists in a game - at Yale.

• BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week on September 30.

• BIG EAST Honor Roll accolades on September 3 and September 10.

GOING OUT ON TOP: Senior forward Gloria Nantulya’s move to the offensive end of the field has helped the Orange offense explode --

• Her 30 points on 11 goals and eight assists rank eighth all-time on SU’s single-season points list.

• Prior to this season Nantulya only had one point to her credit.

TAG TEAMS: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort and senior forward Gloria Nantulya are only the second pair of Syracuse players to record 30 or more points in the same season --

• Befort has 35 points and Nantulya has 30.

• Yvonne Milionis tallied a school record 48 and Kelly Larkin registered 33 in 1990.

TAG TEAMS II: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort and back Leigh Fawcett are also only the second pair of SU players to record 11 or more assists in the same season --

• Befort has 11 assists and Fawcett has 15.

• Maggie Fitzpatrick tallied a school record 16 assists and Sherri Magsam had 14 assists in 1988.

October 22
SENIOR DAY: The 18th-ranked Syracuse Orange (12-5, 3-3 BIG EAST) hosts the Cornell Big Red (7-6, 4-2 Ivy League) in its only game this week on Thursday, October 25. Syracuse’s regular-season finale begins at 7 p.m. at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The game can be seen live on suathletics.com via Orange All Access. Live stats are also available on suathletics.com. Seniors Brittany Angellella, Jessica Lerew and Gloria Nantulya and graduate student Leigh Fawcett will be honored in Senior Day ceremonies before the game.

BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP: Syracuse’s 3-3 conference record knotted the Orange with Villanova for the final spot in the conference tournament. Having defeated Villanova earlier in the season, 4-2, Syracuse earns a spot in the BIG EAST Championship as the four seed. The Orange will face off against No. x Connecticut or No. x Louisville in the first round of the BIG EAST Championship which will be held Nov. 3-4 at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The champion will receive the leagues’ automatic bid to the 16-team NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: The Ange Bradley era of Syracuse field hockey has already made history just 16 games into the first season.

• The Orange won its season opener for the first time since 2002.

• SU was 2-0 for the first time since 2001.

• Syracuse went 5-0 for the first time since 1997.

• The Orange’s 7-1 mark was the best since 1990.

• SU’s current record (12-5) is the best since 2001.

• Syracuse’s 12 overall wins are the most since 2001.

• The Orange’s three BIG EAST victories are the most since 2005.

• Syracuse’s 52 goals are the most since the Orange scored a school record 58 in 1990.

• SU’s No. 18 ranking on October 9 and 16 was its highest since October 12, 2004.

• The Orange are in the BIG EAST Championship for the first time since 2005.

BEST FRESHMAN EVER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort is having an unbelievable season for the Orange. The freshman dished out three assists in SU’s last contest.

• 34 points - sixth on SU’s single-season chart.

• Most points scored by a player since 2001.

• Most points ever by a freshman - Shelley Magee registered 25 points in 1990.

• Most goals (12) ever by a freshman - Erica Weinberg scored nine times in 1982.

• Became 12th player ever to record three assists in a game - at Yale.

HELPING HAND: Back Leigh Fawcett is also setting records for the Orange. Her 14 assists are tied for second all-time on SU’s single-season chart. Fawcett tallied two assists in Syracuse last game.

SENIOR SENSATION: Senior forward Gloria Nantulya’s move to the offensive end of the field has been a successful one. She recorded three points off one goal and one point against the No. 6 Connecticut on October 21. The senior knocked in a rebound for her 11th goal of the season. Nantulya’s eighth assist came on a ball she tipped to a teammate for a goal. She now has 30 points on 11 goals and eight assists. The 30 points rank eighth all-time in SU’s single-season points list. Prior to this season Nantulya only had one point to her credit.

FRESHMAN CONTRIBUTOR: Freshman forward Shelby Schraden has been a very nice addition to the Syracuse roster this season. Schraden registered her fourth goal of the season versus No. 6 Connecticut on October 21. The freshman has nine points on four goals and one assist.

MUCH IMPROVED: The Syracuse offense, which produced only 37 goals and 97 points in 19 games last season, is vastly improved. The Orange offense has already produced 52 goals and 149 points this year. SU is scoring one more goal per game this season (2.98 to 1.70). Syracuse’s 52 goals are the most since 2001.

ONE TOUGH SCHEDULE: The Orange has a very tough remaining schedule. Syracuse has already played at No. 16 Louisville, at No. 12 American, at No. 9 Penn State and against No. 6 Connecticut.

VERY CLOSE TO PERFECTION: Four of the five Syracuse’s losses have been by just one goal. SU lost to Temple 1-0 on September 9, No. 16 Louisville 2-1 on September 21 and at Providence 3-2 on October 12. Syracuse’s other two losses were to No. 9 Penn State (3-1) and to No. 6 Connecticut (5-2).

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: The Orange has outscored its opponents by 19 goals (52-33) so far this season. Syracuse has done this by taking 41 more shots (264-223) and 30 more penalty corners (150-90). SU has put 19 more shots on goal (156-137) and has 0.49 percent better shooting percentage (.197-.148).

GAME-WINNING GOALS: Seven different Orange players have registered game-winning goals this season. Senior forward Gloria Nantulya leads the way with four while freshman forward Kristin Girouard and senior back Brittany Angellella each have two. Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort, back Leigh Fawcett, freshman forward Shelby Schraden and freshman midfielder Lelia Sacré each have one.

UNDEFEATED: Freshman goalkeeper Christina Puggi has played more than 251 minutes in goal, including three starts. She has been the goalkeeper of record five times and has been victorious on each of those five occasions. Puggi has recorded a 1.39 goals-against average and a .722 saves percentage.

CONNECTICUT WRAP UP: Senior forward Gloria Nantulya recorded a goal and an assist and freshman forward Shelby Schraden contributed a goal but it was not enough to combat the high powered Connecticut offense, which out shot the Orange 14-6. The Huskies came out firing in the first half, Lauren Aird scored two goals within the first 25 minutes giving Connecticut and early 2-0 advantage. Nantulya put the Orange on the board, tipping in a rebound to cut the Connecticut lead to one, 2-1. With less than five minutes to play in the first half Robin Kleine tipped in a shot from teammate Lizzy Peijs giving the Huskies a 3-1 lead at the break. Syracuse came on strong out of the locker room, closing the gap two minutes into the second half. Schraden tipped in a shot off the stick of Nantulya pulling the Orange back within one, 3-2. The game remained deadlocked until the 49:08 minute mark when Kleine extended the Connecticut lead, putting the ball past junior goalkeeper Heather Hess from a scramble in front of the cage. Kristin Galuski insured a Connecticut victory scoring off the rebound to make it 5-2 Huskies. Hess made seven saves in the cage for the Orange and moves to 7-5 on the season. Andrea Mainiero made two saves in the cage for Connecticut.

STAT NUGGET: The Orange only made one substitution during the contest. Freshman forward Kristin Girouard was the lone Syracuse player to come off the bench.

STAT TRACKER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort leads Syracuse with 12 goals and 34 points. Leigh Fawcett has a team-high 14 assists. Junior goalkeeper Heather Hess has seen the majority of action in the cage and has registered seven victories while recording a 2.03 goals-against-average and a .759 saves percentage.

October 15

BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE AT STAKE: The Syracuse Orange (12-4, 3-2 BIG EAST) hosts the xth-ranked Connecticut Huskies (14-2, 3-1 BIG EAST) in its only game this week on Sunday, October 21. The contest, which could determine SU’s postseason fate, begins at 1 p.m. at J.S. Coyne Stadium. The game can be seen live on suathletics.com via Orange All Access. Live stats are also available on suathletics.com.

BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP: The BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship will take place on Nov. 3 and 4. Syracuse will host the four team event, seeded by conference record. The champion will receive the leagues’ automatic bid to the 16-team NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship. The Orange currently sits in third place with one game remaining.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: The Ange Bradley era of Syracuse field hockey has already made history just 16 games into the first season.

• The Orange won its season opener for the first time since 2002.

• SU was 2-0 for the first time since 2001.

• Syracuse went 5-0 for the first time since 1997.

• The Orange’s 7-1 mark was the best since 1990.

• SU’s current record (12-4) is the best since 2001.

• Syracuse’s 12 overall wins are the most since 2001.

• The Orange’s three BIG EAST victories are the most since 2005.

• Syracuse’s 50 goals are the most since 2001.

• SU’s No. 18 ranking on October 9 was its highest since October 12, 2004.

BEST FRESHMAN EVER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort is having an unbelievable season for the Orange. The freshman dished out three assists in SU’s last contest.

• 34 points - sixth on SU’s single-season chart.

• Most points scored by a player since 2001.

• Most points ever by a freshman - Shelley Magee registered 25 points in 1990.

• Most goals (12) ever by a freshman - Erica Weinberg scored nine times in 1982.

• Became 12th player ever to record three assists in a game - at Yale.

THANK YOU CANADA: Freshman midfielder Lelia Sacré has made an immediate impact since entering the Syracuse lineup six games into the season. The Canadian native recorded six points on two goals and two assists in Syracuse’s 5-2 victory at Yale. Both of Sacré’s goals came of SU’s penalty corner, as did one of her two assists. The freshman has only played in 10 of Syracuse’s 16 games, but is third in goals (7) and fourth in points (16).

SENIORS STEPPING UP: Seniors Brittany Angellella and Jessica Lerew have both stepped up their play this year. Both are tied for fourth on the team in goals with with. Angellella is also fourth on the squad in assists with four and is tied for fourth on the team in points with 16. Lerew is six in points with 13. Prior to this season Angellella had only one goal to her credit. Lerew had 15 career points on six goals and three assists. Both added to their totals in SU’s last contest, with Lerew adding two goals and Angellella one.

MUCH IMPROVED: The Syracuse offense, which produced only 37 goals and 97 points in 19 games last season, is vastly improved. The Orange offense has already produced 50 goals and 144 points in just 16 games. SU is scoring one more goal per game this season (3.04 to 1.70). Syracuse’s 50 goals are the most since 2001.

ONE TOUGH SCHEDULE: The Orange has a very tough remaining schedule. Syracuse has already played at No. 16 Louisville, at No. 12 American and at No. 9 Penn State. Syracuse hosts is fourth ranked opponent, No. x Connecticut on Sunday, October 21.

VERY CLOSE TO PERFECTION: Three of the four Syracuse’s losses have been by just one goal. SU lost to Temple 1-0 on September 9, No. 16 Louisville 2-1 on September 21 and at Providence 3-2 on October 12. The only other Orange loss was a two-goal defeat at the hands of No. 9 Penn State.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: The Orange has outscored its opponents by 22 goals (50-28) so far this season. Syracuse has done this by taking 49 more shots (258-209) and 28 more penalty corners (145-89). SU has put 56 more shots on goal (128-107) and has 0.60 percent better shooting percentage (.194-.134).

PROVIDENCE WRAP UP: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort and senior back Brittany Angellella both registered late goals, Syracuse squad was unable to come back from an early 3-0 deficit at Providence on October 12. PC’s Adrienne Marois got things started for the Friars just 8:06 into the game as she connected on a hard shot during a penalty corner assisted by Jessica Lane. Abby Maguire struck next as she tipped in a free hit taken from the top of the circle at the 11:16 mark. Lane was credited with the assist. Then at 14:28, Meghan Holden tipped in an initial shot by Nellie Poulin. Poulin earned the assist. In the second half, the score remained 3-0 in favor of Providence until the 49th minute of play when Befort knocked in a pass from senior forward Gloria Nantulya during a scrum in front of the cage. Befort’s goal made the score 3-1. The Orange got within a goal 3-2 at 65:07 as Angellella scored during a penalty corner assisted by Leigh Fawcett and Befort. Though the Friars held off the Syracuse attack, the second half of play belonged to the Orange. Syracuse outshot PC, 16-10 overall, including an 8-2 advantage in the second half. Syracuse also held the edge in penalty corners, 18-4. Twelve of Syracuse’s corners came during its furious second half rally. The Friars, however, made the most of their chances on offense putting eight of their 10 shot attempts on goal, while Syracuse put seven shots on goal. Junior Heather Hess made five saves for Syracuse. Rachel Chamberlain made five saves in the cage for PC.

STAT NUGGETS: Syracuse’s loss at Providence marked the first for SU when its outshoots its opponent. It was also the first time the Orange has lost when gaining more penalty corners.

YALE WRAP UP: The Orange returned to its winning ways with a 5-2 victory at Yale on October 14. Freshman Lelia Sacré recorded six points on two goals and two assists. Senior forward Jessica Lerew tallied two goals and senior back Brittany Angellella added one for the Orange. Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort register three assists and Leigh Fawcett added two for the Orange. Lerew opened the scoring a after a pass from Befort at the 22:36 mark. Yale’s Cat Lindroth crossed the ball to Laura Pierce who then beat junior goalkeeper Heather Hess to tie the game at 1-1 heading into halftime. Sacré and Syracuse’s penalty corner unit took over from there, scoring twice in a five-minute span to take a 3-1 lead at the 47:08. Befort stared both corners with the push and Fawcett made the stop for Sacré who then fired the ball past Bulldog keeper Charlotte Goins. Sacré then slipped the ball to Angellella who scored her sixth goal of the year at 52:13 to extend the lead to 4-1. Ashley McCauley scored a minute later to close the gap, but the Orange was just too much. Lerew added another Syracuse goal on a penalty corner with time running out. Sacré was again credited with the assist. Hess made eight saves in her seventh victory of the season. Goins made 11 saves for Yale. Syracuse outshot Yale 26-14 and held an 18-4 advantage in penalty corners.

STAT NUGGETS: Four different Syracuse players have registered multi-assist games. Back Leigh Fawcett has accomplished the feat on five occasions. Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort has accomplished the feat once and senior forward Gloria Nantulya, senior back Brittany Angellella and freshman midfielder Lelia Sacré have all done it once.

STAT TRACKER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort leads Syracuse with 12 goals and 34 points. Leigh Fawcett has a team-high 14 assists. Junior goalkeeper Heather Hess has seen the majority of action in the cage and has registered seven victories while recording a 1.80 goals-against-average and a .770 saves percentage.

October 8
FALL WEEKEND IN NEW ENGLAND: The Syracuse Orange (11-3, 3-1 BIG EAST) travels to New England this weekend for two road contests. The Orange playes another pivotal BIG EAST game at Providence (9-5, 1-1 BIG EAST) on Friday, October 12 at 7 p.m. at the Friar Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. Live stats will be available on friars.com. Live video will also be available on friars.com via PC’s all access. Syracuse steps out of league play on Sunday, October 14 as SU plays at Yale at 1 p.m.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: The Ange Bradley era of Syracuse field hockey has already made history just 13 games into the first season.
• The Orange won its season opener for the first time since 2002.
• SU was 2-0 for the first time since 2001.
• Syracuse went 5-0 for the first time since 1997.
• The Orange’s 7-1 mark was the best since 1990.
• SU’s current record (11-3) is the best since 2001.
• Syracuse’s 11 overall wins 11 overall wins and three league victories are the most by an Orange team since 2005.

BEST FRESHMAN EVER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort is having an unbelievable season for the Orange. Befort’s 28 points are tied for ninth on Syracuse’s single-season records chart With a minimum of four games remaining the freshman has already set the Syracuse record for goals and points in a season by a freshman, with 11 and 28, respectively. The previous goal mark of nine was set in 1982 by Erica Weinberg. Shelley Magee registered 25 points in 1990. The 28 points already surpasses Syracuse’s points leader from last season (Alison Babbit, 12G, 1A, 25PTS).

HELPING HAND: Back Leigh Fawcett is also setting records for the Orange. Her 11 assists are tied for fifth all-time on SU’s single-season chart.

SENIOR SENSATION: Senior forward Gloria Nantulya is having a breakout senior campaign. She is second on the team in goals, points and with 10, 26 and six respectively. The senior had only one point, an assist last season, to her credit prior to this year.

YOUNG TALENT: Freshman forward Shelby Schraden is one of the many talented young players on this year’s squad. Schraden scored her third goal of the season in the Orange’s 4-2 win aginast Villanova. She now has seven points on three goals and one assist.

MUCH IMPROVED: The Syracuse offense, which produced only 37 goals and 97 points in 19 games last season, is vastly improved. The Orange offense has already produced 43 goals and 120 points in just 14 games. SU is scoring one more goal per game this season (1.94 to 2.98).

ONE TOUGH SCHEDULE: The Orange has a very tough remaining schedule. Syracuse has already played at No. 16 Louisville, at No. 12 American, at No. 9 Penn State and against Villanova. Syracuse still has No. 3 Connecticut and Providence, who is receiving votes in the national poll, still left on the schedule.

VERY CLOSE TO PERFECTION: Two of the three Syracuse’s losses have been by just one goal. SU lost to Temple 1-0 on September 9 and No. 16 Louisville 2-1 on September 21. The only other Orange loss was a two-goal defeat at the hands of No. 9 Penn State.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: The Orange has outscored its opponents by 20 goals (43-23) so far this season. Syracuse has done this by taking 31 more shots (216-185) and 28 more penalty corners (109-81). SU has put 21 more shots on goal (128-107) and has 0.75 percent better shooting percentage (.199-.124).

GAME-WINNING GOALS: Six different Orange players have registered game-winning goals this season. Senior forward Gloria Nantulya leads the way with four while freshman forward Kristin Girouard and senior back Brittany Angellella each have two. Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort, Leigh Fawcett and freshman forward Shelby Schraden each have one.

UNDEFEATED: Freshman goalkeeper Christina Puggi has played more than 251 minutes in goal, including three starts. She has been the goalkeeper of record five times and has been victorious on each of those five occasions. Puggi has recorded a 1.39 goals-against average and a .722 saves percentage.

BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP: The BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship will take place on Nov.3 and 4. Syracuse will host the four team event, seeded by conference record. The champion will receive the leagues’ automatic bid to the 16-team NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship. The Orange currently sits in first place.

VILLANOVA WRAP UP: Senior back Brittany Angellella scored one goal and two assists and freshman midfielder Maggie Befort added one goal and one assist to lead the 20th-ranked Syracuse Orange to an exciting 4-2 BIG EAST victory against the 18th-ranked Wildcats of Villanova on October 7. After 25 minutes of back-and-forth chances, Villanova provided the first goal of the contest when Jenn Nazarethian tipped in a long pass from the top of the circle. The score was quickly tied. Senior forward Gloria Nantulya tied the game with her 10th goal of the season when she tipped in a penalty corner off the stick of Angellella. On an almost identical play only a minute and a half later, Angellella was in no need of a tip as she roped a shot past the Villanova defense. The Orange maintained the 2-1 lead going into halftime. Five minutes into the second period, freshman forward Shelby Schraden tipped in a pass from Leigh Fawcett. It was Fawcett’s second assist of the game and gives her 17 points for the season. Nazarethian added her second goal of the game with 28:19 remaining off a scramble to cut the Orange lead to one. The two teams pushed back-and-forth for either the important game-tying goal or the necessary insurance. Befort finally broke up the nearly 20-minute drought with her 11th goal of the season off a penalty corner tip. Angellella once again provided the initial hit. Junior goalkeeper Heather Hess continued her fantastic season with four saves, including one on a penalty stroke with 5:58 remaining in the first half. Earlier in the game, Hess had kicked away an Allison Boris breakaway with 26 minutes remaining in the half. The Orange attempted to pull away from the Wildcats but two consecutive goal attempts were waved off. With 15:30 remaining in the second half, Befort was called for a back stick attempt. Angellella had her goal waved off for a high initial shot as the whistle was blown prior to the goal being scored.

STAT NUGGETS: Syracuse’s penalty corner was very sucessfully against the Wildcats. All of the Orange goals came off penatly corners as SU converted on four of the 12 attempts.

STAT TRACKER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort leads Syracuse with 11 goals and 26 points. Leigh Fawcett has a team-high 11 assists. Junior goalkeeper Heather Hess has seen the majority of action in the cage and has registered six victories while recording a 1.66 goals-against-average and a .791 saves percentage.

October 1
MIDWEEK ACTION: The Syracuse Orange (10-2, 2-1 BIG EAST) travels to University Park, Pa. for a midweek contest with ninth-ranked Penn State (7-4, 1-1 Big Ten) on Wednesday, October 3 at 4 p.m. at PSU’s AstroTurf Field.

SUNDAY: The Orange returns home for a huge BIG EAST contest with Villanova (8-2, 2-0 BIG EAST) on Sunday, October 7 at 1 p.m. at SU’s J.S. Coyne Stadium. Live stats will be available on suathletics.com.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: The Ange Bradley era of Syracuse field hockey has already made history just 12 games into the first season.

• The Orange won its season opener for the first time since 2002.

• SU was 2-0 for the first time since 2001.

• Syracuse went 5-0 for the first time since 1997.

• The Orange’s 7-1 mark was the best since 1990.

• SU’s current record (10-2) is the best since 2001.

BEST FRESHMAN EVER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort is having an unbelievable season for the Orange. With a minimum of six games remaining the freshman has already set the Syracuse record for goals scored in a season by a freshman, with 10. The previous mark of nine was set in 1982 by Erica Weinberg. Befort’s 25 points also tie the record for points by a freshman. Shelley Magee also registered 25 points in 1990. The 25 points also match Syracuse’s point leader from last season (Alison Babbit, 12G, 1A, 25PTS).

MUCH IMPROVED: The Syracuse offense, which produced only 37 goals and 97 points in 19 games last season, is vastly improved. The Orange offense has already produced 38 goals and 104 points in just 12 games. SU has doubled its scoring average from 1.94 to 3.92 goals per game.

ONE TOUGH SCHEDULE: The Orange has a very tough remaining schedule. Syracuse has already played at No. 16 Louisville and at No. 12 American. SU faces its second consecutive ranked opponent on Wednesday, October 3 when it travels to No. 9 Penn State. Syracuse also has No. 3 Connecticut and Villanova and Providence, who are both receiving votes in the national poll, still left on the schedule.

September 24
THIS WEEKEND: The Syracuse Orange (8-2, 1-1 BIG EAST) remain on the road and travel to Washington, D.C. for two contests this weekend. SU plays its third BIG EAST game of the season against Georgetown (2-7, 0-1). The game will be played at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md. on Friday, September 28, at 5 p.m. Georgetown’s turf is under construction. Live stats will be available on guhoyas.com. The Orange wrapup the weekend at No. xx American (8-2) on Sunday, September 30 at 2 p.m. Live audio of the contest will be available on aueagles.com via all access. The Eagles host Colgate on Saturday before playing the Orange on Sunday.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: The Ange Bradley era of Syracuse field hockey has already made history just 10 games into the first season.

• The Orange won its season opener for the first time since 2002.

• SU was 2-0 for the first time since 2001.

• Syracuse went 5-0 for the first time since 1997.

• The Orange’s 7-1 mark was the best since 1990.

VERY CLOSE TO PERFECTION: Both of Syracuse’s losses have been by one goal. SU lost to Temple 1-0 on September 9 and No. 16 Louisville 2-1 on September 21.

LOUISVILLE WRAP UP
Senior forward Jessica Lerew scored five minutes into the contest and junior goalkeeper Heather Hess made 11 saves, but the Syracuse field hockey team was unable to hold onto its early advantage, losing at No. 16 Louisville, 2-1, in double overtime on September 21.

ST. LOUIS WRAP UP
Senior back Brittany Angellella and freshman midfielder Lelia Sacré each scored twice and freshman forward Shelby Schraden notched one goals as the Syracuse Orange dominated the Saint Louis Billikens, 5-0, on September 22 at the University of Louisville’s Trager Stadium.

MULTI-GOAL SCORERS
Senior back Brittany Angellella and freshman midfielder Lelia Sacré join senior forward Gloria Nantulya freshman midfielder Maggie Befort and back Leigh Fawcett as SU’s single-game multi-goal scorers. Befort however, is the lone Syracuse player to register two multi-goal games for the Orange. The freshman scored twice in her Orange debut in SU’s 6-4 season-opening victory at Colgate on August 25. She repeated the feat in Syracuse’s 4-3 win against Central Michigan on September 7. Nantulya scored twice in the Orange 2-1 triumph of Rutgers on September 14 and Fawcett accomplished the deed in SU’s 4-3 overtime win against Maine on September 1.

September 17
THIS WEEKEND: The Syracuse Orange (7-1, 1-0 BIG EAST) travels to Louisville, Ky. for two contests this weekend. SU opens the weekend on Friday, September 21 with a BIG EAST battle against Louisville (4-4, 0-0 BIG EAST) at 3 p.m. at UofL’s Trager Stadium. The contest will be shown live on uoflsports.com via All Access on uoflsports.com. Live stats of the game are also available for free on uoflsports.com. The Orange remains in Kentucky on Saturday, September 22 for a contest with the St. Louis Billikens (2-6) at 3 p.m. at UofL’s Trager Stadium.

A STELLAR START: The Ange Bradley era of Syracuse field hockey is off to a stellar start. The Orange is off to its best start since 1990 when SU began the season 7-1. Syracuse has recorded victories at Colgate (6-4), against Massachusetts (1-0) and Maine (4-3 OT), at Dartmouth (2-1), versus Central Michigan (4-3), against Rutgers (2-1) and versus Hofstra (2-1).

RUTGERS WRAP UP: Freshman goalkeeper Christina Puggi recorded five brilliant saves and senior forward Gloria Nantulya scored twice as the Syracuse field hockey team opened the BIG EAST schedule with a 2-1 victory against Rutgers on September 14 at J.S. Coyne Stadium. SU converted on a corner opportunity as Leigh Fawcett’s shot from the top of the circle was blocked sending the ball to Nantulya who the got her stick on it and beat RU goalkeeper Rosalyn Wentko for her fifth goal of the year. Amy Lewis scored her BIG EAST-best ninth goal of the year off a penalty corner at 39:50. Melissa Bowman provided the push and Corinne Bach made the stop as Lewis beat Puggi to tie the score at 1-1. The Orange picked up the pace with freshman midfielder Maggie Befort centering the ball from the right side to Nantulya who then slipped it by Wentko. The senior’s second goal of the night and sixth of the year put the score at 2-1 with 16 minutes remaining. Puggi registered five saves in her first career start while picking up her third victory of the year. Wentko recorded three saves in the loss. Rutgers outshot the Orange, 14-10, and held a 10-7 advantage in penalty corners.

STAT NUGGET: Senior forward Gloria Nantulya joins freshman midfielder Maggie Befort and back Leigh Fawcett as SU’s single-game multi-goal scorers.Befort however, is the lone Syracuse player to register two multi-goal games for the Orange. The freshman scored twice in her Orange debut in SU’s 6-4 season-opening victory at Colgate on August 25. She repeated the feat in Syracuse’s 4-3 win against Central Michigan on September 7. Fawcett accomplished the deed in SU’s 4-3 overtime win against Maine on September 1.

HOFSTRA WRAP UP: Freshman Lelia Sacrè scored her first career goal to help boost the Syracuse field hockey team to a 2-1 victory against the Hofstra Pride on September 16 at J.S. Coyne Stadium. Sacrè made her first career start for the Orange in her second game of the season after missing the first six games due to injury. Sacrè deflected a right-side cross past Hofstra goalkeeper Nadine Surak late in the first half, giving the Orange the 1-0 advantage at the break. Just 30 seconds into the second half senior forward Pemba Ramdoo slipped a shot past freshman goalkeeper Christina Puggi on a breakaway, tying the game 1-1. Both teams battled back and forth for the next ten minutes of the half until Syracuse senior Gloria Nantulya broke the tie, netting her team-best seventh goal of the season. Nantulya converted a rebound off a penalty corner to give Syracuse the 2-1 advantage. Puggi earned the win, making three saves in the second start of her career. Junior goalkeeper Heather Hess releived Puggi and also made one save.

STAT NUGGET: The one-two punch of goalkeepers Heather Hess and Christina Puggi has been a very successful one of the Orange. Hess has seen a little more time (369:34), playing in seven games with six starts. The senior has recorded a 1.89 goals-against-average, a .750 saves perentage, one shut out and a 3-1 mark. She tallied a season-best 11 saves against Temple. Puggi has played in four games with two starts. She has a perfect 4-0 record with a 1.39 GAA and a .733 saves percentage. The freshman has only allowed four goals in her 201:31 minutes.

STAT TRACKER: Senior forward Gloria Nantulya leads the team in points with 15 and goals with seven. She has also tallied a team-best three game-winning goals. Coming into this season, the senior had only one assist and one shot to her credit in 43 career games. Leigh Fawcett has tallied a team-best three assists. Junior goalkeeper Heather Hess has seen the majority of action in the cage and has registered three victories while recording a 1.86 goals-against-average and a .745 saves percentage.

September 10
THIS WEEKEND: The No. 20 Syracuse Orange (5-1) looks to rebound from its first setback of the season this weekend against BIG EAST foe Rutgers and Hofstra. Action begins on Friday, September 14 at 6 p.m. at SU’s J.S. Coyne Stadium as the Orange opens conference play with the Scarlet Knights. The contest will be shown live on suathletigcs.com via Orange All Access. Play resumes on Sunday, September 16 at 1 p.m. when the Orange hosts Hofstra. Live stats of both contests will be available on suathletics.com.

A STELLAR START: Despite the loss to Temple on September 9 the Ange Bradley era of Syracuse field hockey is off to a stellar start. The Orange is off to its best start since 2000 when SU began the season 6-1. Syracuse has recorded victories at Colgate (6-4), against Massachusetts (1-0) and Maine (4-3 OT), at Dartmouth (2-1) and versus Central Michigan (4-3).

CENTRAL MICHIGAN WRAP UP: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort scored twice and senior forwards Gloria Nantulya and Jessica Lerew also tallied goals as the 20th-ranked Syracuse Orange field hockey team remained unbeaten with a 4-3 victory against the Central Michigan Chippewas on September 7 at J.S. Coyne Stadium. Befort’s first goal of the evening was also the first of the game. The freshman registered the fifth goal of her career by putting home a rebound off a Syracuse penalty corner 12:44 into the contest. Befort’s second tally of the game and sixth of the season put the Orange ahead 2-1 at the half. SU converted a two-on-one with Leigh Fawcett sending a pass to Befort who beautifully tipped it into the cage. Nantulya got into the action right after halftime taking a pass from fellow senior Brittany Shannon and beating Chippewa goalkeeper Kahla Schwall at the 36:34 mark to give Syracuse a 3-1 advantage. Lerew scored SU’s fourth goal of the game at 69:49. Her goal came on a similar play to SU’s first goal, a rebound off a Fawcett penalty corner. Heather Hess recorded two saves in her third victory of the season. The Orange outshot the Chippewas 17-11 and held a 6-5 advantage in penalty corners.

STAT NUGGET: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort is the lone Syracuse player to register two multi-goal games for the Orange. The freshman scored twice in her Orange debut in SU’s 6-4 season-opening victory at Colgate on August 25. She repeated the feat in Syracuse’s 4-3 win against Central Michigan on September 7. Leigh Fawcett is the other Syracuse player to record a two-goal performance. Fawcett accomplished the deed in SU’s 4-3 overtime win against Maine on September 1.

BONUS TIDBIT: Leigh Fawcett is the lone Orange player to record a multi-assist game this season. She registered two in SU’s 4-3 win against Central Michigan. Michelle Sola was the last SU player to tally two assists in a contest. She accomplished the feat in a 4-3 overtime victory against Cornell on Oct. 24, 2006.

LOFTY TOTAL: Syracuse’s 4-3 victory against Central Michigan on September 7 marked the 140th of head coach Ange Bradley’s career.

TEMPLE WRAP UP: Junior goalkeeper Heather Hess posted a season-high 11 saves as No. 20 Syracuse’s five-game win streak came to an end on September 9 at J.S. Coyne Stadium following a 1-0 loss against Temple. Senior forward Gloria Nantulya fired three of the Orange’s eight shots. Hess collected three critical second half saves to keep the Owls at bay, including one off the stick of senior Leanne Vogelsong with just over 21 minutes remaining. Vogelsong’s attempt from just inside the circle sent Hess across the cage in time to kick the shot wide. Alli Lokey scorecd the game’s only goal on a penalty corner at the 52:58 mark.

STAT NUGGET: Syracuse was shutout for the first time this season against Temple. It was SU’s first donut since it was blanked 3-0 at Connecticut on October 21, 2006.

UNDEFEATED: Syracuse started the 2007 season 5-0. It was the program’s best start sine a 6-0 start in 1997.The Orange won a program-best six games to start that season, outscoring its opponents 15-0.

ORANGE SLICES: Eight Orange players have started all six contests. Maggie Befort, Gloria Nantulya, Leigh Fawcett, Brittany Angellella, Jessica Lerew, Brittany Shannon, Heather Doran and Heather Hess have been mainstays in SU’s staring lineup. Kim Coyle has started four of SU’s six contests.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES: Syracuse has done a good job of creating scoring opportunities. SU has outshot its opponents, 101-67. The Orange has also created 22 more penalty corners, 51-29.

STAT TRACKER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort leads the team in points with 13 and goals with six. Senior back Leigh Fawcett has tallied a team-best three assists. Junior goalkeeper Heather Hess has seen the majority of action in the cage and has registered three victories while recording a 2.02 goals-against-average and a .744 saves percentage.

September 3
THIS WEEKEND: The Syracuse Orange (4-0) carries four consecutive victories into games against Central Michigan on Friday, September 7 at 7 p.m. and Temple on Sunday, September 9 at 1 p.m. Both contests will be played at SU’s J.S. Coyne Stadium. Live stats of both contests will be available on suathletics.com.

A STELLAR START: The Ange Bradley era of Syracuse field hockey is off to a stellar start. The Orange has recorded victories at Colgate (6-4), against Massachusetts (1-0) and Maine (4-3 OT) and at Dartmouth (2-1).

UNDEFEATED: Syracuse last started a season 4-0 in 1997. The Orange won a program-best six games to start that season, outscoring its opponents 15-0.

MAINE WRAP UP: Graduate student Leigh Fawcett scored twice and the Orange overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Maine Black Bears, 4-3, in overtime on Saturday, September 1 in Dartmouth, N.H. The back tallied the Orange’s last two goals of the afternoon. Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort provided the push and junior back Heather Doran made a superb stick stop on the game-winning goal. Senior forward Gloria Nantulya notched SU’s first goal of the day, her third of the season, after taking a long pass from Befort and beating Black Bear goalkeeper Rebecca Giroux in the 37th minute. Befort notched her third goal of the year off a penalty stroke at 52:59 to put the score at 3-2, Maine.

STAT NUGGET: Leigh Fawcett was the second Orange player to record a two-goal performance. Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort registered two goals in Syracuse’s 6-4 season-opening victory at Colgate.

DARTMOUTH WRAP UP: Freshman forward Shelby Schraden and freshman midfielder Maggie Befort each scored for SU as first-year Orange head coach Ange Bradley kept her Syracuse record unblemished with a 2-1 victory on Sunday, September 2 at Dartmouth. Schraden deflected a shot from senior back Brittany Angellella off a penalty corner for the Orange’s first goal of the day just three minutes into the contest. Befort supplied the Orange with an insurance goal on a penalty stroke at the 45:11 mark.

STAT NUGGET: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort has taken and converted both of Syracuse’s penalty corners.

ORANGE SLICES: Eight Orange players have started all four contests. Maggie Befort, Gloria Nantulya, Leigh Fawcett, Brittany Angellella, Jessica Lerew, Brittany Shannon, Heather Doran and Heather Hess and been mainstays in SU’s staring lineup. Shelby Schraden and Kim Coyle have started three of SU’s four contests.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES: Syracuse has done a good job of creating scoring opportunities. SU has outshot its opponents, 76-44. The Orange has also created twice as many, 40-19, penalty corners.

STAT TRACKER: Freshman midfielder Maggie Befort leads the team in points with nine and goals with four. Senior back Brittany Angellella has tallied a team-best two assists. Both junior Heather Hess and freshman Christina Puggi have registered two victories with Hess registering a .727 saves percentage and Puggi a 1.62 GAA.

August 27
THIS WEEKEND: The Syracuse Orange carry two consecutive victories to Hanover, N.H. for a pair of games against Maine on Saturday, September 1 and at Darmouth on Sunday, September 2. Both contests begin at 2 p.m.

A STELLAR START: The Ange Bradley era of Syracuse field hockey got off to a stellar start last weekend with two victories at Colgate and against Massachusetts. The Orange recorded a 6-4 season-opening victory at Colgate on Saturday, August 25 and a 1-0 win against UMass in SU’s home opener a day later.

UNDEFEATED: Syracuse last started a season 2-0 in 2001. The Orange won its third and last BIG EAST Tournament Championship and earned a NCAA Tournament bid in 2001. SU also captured the BIG EAST regular-season crown with a 5-0 mark in league play. SU last began a season 3-0 in 1997. The Orange won its first six games that season.

COLGATE WRAP UP: At Colgate freshman Maggie Befort scored twice in her Orange debut. Senior Gloria Nantulya recorded the first goal of her career and added one assist to aid the effort. Seniors Brittany Angellella and Jessica Lerew and freshman Kristin Girouard rounded out the scoring for Syracuse. Graduate student Leigh Fawcett and freshman Shelby Schraden both recorded an assist.

STAT NUGGET: The six goals SU scored at Colgate were the most SU has scored since it defeated Albany 6-0 in 2004.

UMASS WRAP UP: Senior forward Gloria Nantulya’s tip off senior back Brittany Angellella’s shot off a penalty corner in the 55th minute lifted the Orange to a 1-0 victory against the UMass.

STAT NUGGET: Junior goalkeeper Heather Hess recorded the sixth shutout of her career against the Minutewomen.

ORANGE SLICES: Senior forward Gloria Nantulya, who recorded only one point (an assist) in her previous 43 games, has already registered two goals and an assist this season. Senior back Brittany Angellella has also provided offensive firepower with one goal and one assist in Orange’s two games this season. The senior tallied only one goal in her first 48 games at SU.

STAT TRACKER: Senior forward Gloria Nantulya leads the team with five points on two goals and one assist. Both junior Heather Hess and freshman Christina Puggi have recorded a victory with Hess registering a .625 saves percetange and Puggi a 2.24 GAA.

SCOUTING THE BLACK BEARS: Maine lost a 1-0 decision to Sacred Heart on August 26 in Storrs, Conn. The Black Bears are 0-2 on the season with the loss, after losing to No. 5 Connecticut 2-0 to open the season. Amy Zdrojesky has recorded a team-best four shots. Five other players have one apiece. Rebecca Giroux and Maygan Cassarino have spilt time in goal for the Black Bears. Maine plays Dartmouth on Friday, August 31 before facing Syracuse in Saturday.

SU VS. MAINE ALL-TIME: Syracuse is 3-2 all-time against Maine. The Black Bears defeated the Orange 2-1 in the team’s last encounter in 1999.

SCOUTING THE BIG GREEN: Dartmouth opens the season against Maine on Friday, August 31. The Big Green returns last season’s leading scorer, senior Lizzie Bildner, who finished last fall with nine goals and one assist. She was voted First-Team All-Ivy League.

SU VS. DARTMOUTH ALL-TIME: The Orange has won the last two meetings and is 6-2 all-time against Dartmouth. SU defeated the Big Green 5-1 at J.S. Coyne Stadium in 2005 and 3-2 in overtime at Dartmouth last season. This is the sixth consecutive season the two teams have played.