Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFH | High-flying SU scores road upset
By Adam Brown
Posted: 10/2/07, 12:35 AM EST Section: Sports
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After dominating road performances against Big East rival Georgetown (2-8, 0-2) on Friday and No. 12 American (9-3) on Sunday in which the Orange won 8-1 and 3-1, respectively, Bradley's team has a chance to surpass that mark.
Having already scored 38 goals and 104 points in just 12 games, totals that are far superior to a Syracuse offense that was only able to produce 37 goals and 97 points in 19 games last year, the Orange (10-2, 2-1) has more than doubled its scoring average from 1.95 to 3.92 goals per game this season.
The Georgetown game, in which SU scored a season-high eight goals, was a collective effort. Six different Syracuse players collected at least one goal while freshmen Maggie Befort, who enjoyed a record-setting weekend of her own, and Lelia Sacre each scored two.
"We are just starting to play well together," Bradley said. "We are playing connected field hockey and really excelling at different areas on the field. The game against Georgetown was just one of those days where everything was working and we played extremely well."
After securing the Big East victory, the team turned its attention to No. 12 American, the highest ranked team they have faced this season.
Behind the scoring of Befort, who notched two more goals, and senior forward Gloria Nantulya, who scored her eighth goal of the season for the eventual game-winner, the Orange controlled the tempo of the game and defeated American.
"Overall, the victory against American is just such a huge stepping stone in the building of the program," said Bradley. "To go on the road and beat a top-ranked team like that, it is just one of those defining moments for any program, and it's a great confidence booster for us."
SU junior goalkeeper Heather Hess supported the offensive fireworks. She played well against Georgetown, tallying three saves and allowing no goals, but she saved her best for American. Hess recorded 11 saves while allowing just one goal, consistently denying the American offense any chance of climbing back into the game.
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