SYRACUSE, N.Y - Despite being accompanied by frigid temperatures and scattered flurries, the third-ranked Syracuse Orange field hockey team (22-1) overcame the elements to advance to the Final Four, beating the ninth-ranked Princeton Tigers (17-3) in overtime, 3-2.
It was a day for the freshmen, as
Nicole Nelson,
Martina Loncarica and
Shelby Schraden provided the offense for Syracuse, netting all three of the SU goals.
"I am in shock. Nothing has sunk in yet. To say the Final Four is pretty amazing. It is a first for the team and me as a head coach," said Syracuse head coach Ange Bradley. "I have been there with Maryland before. It is just shock. This team has been so special and they keep surprising you every day. I can't tell you how fortunate I am to come to work every day and get to work with this group. Our support staff at Syracuse did an amazing job putting this event on and everything about it is unreal."
The first half looked bright for the Tigers, as forward Kathleen Sharkey helped Princeton jump out to a quick 1-0 advantage just 56 seconds into the contest. The Orange battled back when Loncarica provided the equalizer on a beautiful backhander that sailed past Princeton goalkeeper Jennifer King into the top shelf of the cage. The goal came unassisted and Syracuse was starting to turn the tides in its favor. A team that has been so successful and efficient all season long was not going to lay down and let such a historic run wither away.
Schraden provided additional firepower when she redirected a through ball from freshman Kahli Vojkovic with 24:54 left to go in the first half providing the Orange with a slim 2-1 lead. Play went back-and-forth as both teams exhibited good possession of the ball, with scoring chances developing often.
Senior goalkeeper Heather Hess came up with some excellent saves of her own today, registering four in total. Princeton was awarded a penalty stroke with 3:35 remaining in the first half, and Hess found herself one on one, looking to preserve the Orange lead. When the shot was taken, Hess dove and watched as the ball sailed wide, giving Syracuse a sigh of relief going into the half.
After warming up during intermission, the Orange came out hungry for a victory, but it wasn't before Princeton made its own charge with 23:29 left in the game. Coming off of a corner, Princeton midfielder Sarah Reinprecht was able to sneak the ball past Hess, knotting things up at 2-2. Nearing the final seconds of regulation, Hess stepped up as she has all season long, making a huge save off a direct shot that would've sent Princeton dancing its way to Louisville for the Final Four. At the end of regulation the scoreboard read, 2-2.
In overtime, Princeton's six seemed to keep the pressure on a Syracuse squad that appeared fatigued. Hess was called upon yet again for more magic, keeping the Orange hopes alive by making yet another fantastic save to keep things even at 2-2. The shot came just minutes into the first sudden death period, as Hess showed excellent composure when opponents crashed the net.
Loncarica took things upon herself to drive the ball into opponent territory after the Orange was able to open up the field and penetrate a Princeton defense that was solid throughout. Sophomore forward
Lindsey Conrad was led with a pass that sprung her from the pack and would set up the game-winning drive. With 1:04 left in the period, Nelson positioned herself in front of the Princeton cage, anticipating a pass from Conrad. Sure enough the ball rolled over to the freshman forward who chipped in the change, and sent the Orange sprinting from the bench in celebration.
"We were all so tired. Lindsey (Conrad) had a break away and she crossed it in to me and I hit it and it went right in the goal," Nelson said. "It still hasn't sunk in yet. It is exciting, and I am so relieved because we won and the game was over. It is a rush of emotions."
This marks the first time in the history of the program that Syracuse has advanced beyond the quarterfinal round and into the Final Four. The magic run continues at the NCAA Championship Semifinal when the Orange packs its bags for Louisville, Ky. for its matchup against the second-ranked Demon Deacons of Wake Forest, November 21st at 7:30 p.m.