Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFH | Come-from-behind victory proves young Orange learning quickly
By Zach Zagger
Posted: 9/4/07, 12:55 AM EST Section: Sports
A major concern for head coach Ange Bradley at the beginning of the Syracuse's field hockey season was the team's lack of experience. With an undefeated record four games into the season, experience has not been an issue.
"We're young," Bradley said, "and just trying to find ourselves."
With two wins in Hanover, N.H., this weekend, the young SU squad-with the help of some veteran leaders-showed it has composure to come from behind and win on the road.
This was no more obvious than in SU's rallying victory against Maine on Saturday. The Orange also beat Dartmouth, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday, Maine scored the first three goals of the contest to take a 3-0 lead-the third goal coming not long after halftime. After that, the Orange's composure changed, Bradley said. Senior Gloria Nantulya scored SU's first goal and from there, Syracuse kept the pressure up. Graduate student Leigh Fawcett tied the game off a broken corner play with less than 13 minutes left in the game, eventually forcing overtime.
The Orange secured the win in the overtime period with Fawcett scoring the game-winner.
"In overtime," Bradley said, "we pretty much dominated the game."
The ability to come from behind on the road shows that this young team is growing up fast and learning to handle the pressure. Syracuse started three freshmen and one sophomore against the Black Bears, along with Fawcett.
"We learned that we don't quit on ourselves," Bradley said, "and we play until the end."
The young SU squad's composure was tested again on Sunday when it took the field against Dartmouth. This time, Syracuse found itself on the opposite end of the game, in a situation where it took the lead and had to hold it, rather than come from behind. The Orange showed it was up to the task, winning the game 2-1.
Bradley was more than satisfied from what she saw in her team over the weekend.
"We were put in a situation where we were down and came back, we were put in a situation where we were ahead and had to hold the lead," Bradley said. "And we were able to find what it took to get through both situations and for an inexperienced team to find that is really just awesome."
Even though the team showed poise in its two wins, it has not totally had to rely on its young players because of significant contributions from veterans like Nantulya.
For instance, it was Nantulya who started the comeback against Maine, and Fawcett scored the game-tying and game-winning goals. Fawcett was named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll for the second straight week.
Also, SU junior goalkeeper Heather Hess also had six saves in her second win against Dartmouth.
Still, it was two freshmen who stepped up to carry the Orange in its win against Dartmouth. Freshmen Shelby Schraden and Maggie Befort both scored their first career goals in the contest. It only further showed that the team is beginning to find itself.
"They're just starting to come together as a team," Bradley said. "It's more the chemistry, the glue, that stuff is starting to morph, and that's what wins championships."
"We're young," Bradley said, "and just trying to find ourselves."
With two wins in Hanover, N.H., this weekend, the young SU squad-with the help of some veteran leaders-showed it has composure to come from behind and win on the road.
This was no more obvious than in SU's rallying victory against Maine on Saturday. The Orange also beat Dartmouth, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday, Maine scored the first three goals of the contest to take a 3-0 lead-the third goal coming not long after halftime. After that, the Orange's composure changed, Bradley said. Senior Gloria Nantulya scored SU's first goal and from there, Syracuse kept the pressure up. Graduate student Leigh Fawcett tied the game off a broken corner play with less than 13 minutes left in the game, eventually forcing overtime.
The Orange secured the win in the overtime period with Fawcett scoring the game-winner.
"In overtime," Bradley said, "we pretty much dominated the game."
The ability to come from behind on the road shows that this young team is growing up fast and learning to handle the pressure. Syracuse started three freshmen and one sophomore against the Black Bears, along with Fawcett.
"We learned that we don't quit on ourselves," Bradley said, "and we play until the end."
The young SU squad's composure was tested again on Sunday when it took the field against Dartmouth. This time, Syracuse found itself on the opposite end of the game, in a situation where it took the lead and had to hold it, rather than come from behind. The Orange showed it was up to the task, winning the game 2-1.
Bradley was more than satisfied from what she saw in her team over the weekend.
"We were put in a situation where we were down and came back, we were put in a situation where we were ahead and had to hold the lead," Bradley said. "And we were able to find what it took to get through both situations and for an inexperienced team to find that is really just awesome."
Even though the team showed poise in its two wins, it has not totally had to rely on its young players because of significant contributions from veterans like Nantulya.
For instance, it was Nantulya who started the comeback against Maine, and Fawcett scored the game-tying and game-winning goals. Fawcett was named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll for the second straight week.
Also, SU junior goalkeeper Heather Hess also had six saves in her second win against Dartmouth.
Still, it was two freshmen who stepped up to carry the Orange in its win against Dartmouth. Freshmen Shelby Schraden and Maggie Befort both scored their first career goals in the contest. It only further showed that the team is beginning to find itself.
"They're just starting to come together as a team," Bradley said. "It's more the chemistry, the glue, that stuff is starting to morph, and that's what wins championships."
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