Field Hockey: No. 6 Cavaliers knock off No. 10 Syracuse in double OT, 3-2

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The No. 6 Virginia field hockey team picked up a 3-2 victory at No. 10 Syracuse on Friday at J.S. Coyne Stadium.

Virginia (6-3, 1-1 ACC) led 2-1 at halftime with Syracuse (6-2, 0-2) tying the game 3:37 into the fourth quarter. Adele Iacobucci scored the game-winner with 26.8 seconds remaining in the second overtime.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Virginia dominated the first half, outshooting the Orange 11-4 in the first 30 minutes of play.

Daniela Mendez-Trendler scored the first goal for the Cavaliers, knocking in a loose ball after an initial save 7:43 into the game. Laura Janssen made it 2-0, tipping a pass from Noa Boterman 3:02 into the second quarter. Olivia Bell got the Orange on the scoreboard two minutes later.

The Orange turned the tables at halftime, outshooting the Cavaliers 12-3 in the third and fourth periods.

Pieke van de Pas tied the game with a smash into the upper corner of the net 3:37 into the fourth quarter.

Syracuse had a player pick up a green card in the final minute of regulation, beginning the overtime period a man down, but it was the Orange that had the first opportunity in extra time with a penalty corner 2:15 into it, but the shot was blocked. The Orange had another penalty corner in the second overtime with Tyler Kennedy making a save.

Virginia was awarded a penalty corner with 35 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Jans Croon took the hit at the top of the circle, firing a shot at Iacobucci’s stick. Iacobucci deflected it into the net for the victory.

NOTES

• Both teams took 17 shots
• Syracuse had a 13-9 edge in penalty corners
• Kennedy had seven saves
• Syracuse goalkeeper Brooke Borzymowski had nine saves. She came into the game with eight for the season
• Iacobucci’s game-winning goal was her first goal of the season
• Mendez-Trendler’s goal was her team-leading fifth of the year
• Janssen’s goal was her third
• This was Virginia’s first overtime of the season

FROM HEAD COACH MICHELE MADISON

“The good thing about that game was we needed to win it. And the second best thing about the game was that we won it and we won it with a great team effort. Cleared the bench again. We needed minutes from everyone, especially in the overtime and we were able to pull out the victory against a very good Syracuse team.”

UP NEXT

The Cavaliers have Sunday off and will return to action next Friday, playing at No. 4 Louisville at 3 p.m.