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Heading into Syracuse’s Atlantic Coast Conference Quarterfinal match against No. 4-seed Virginia, the No. 5-seed Orange were hoping to erase memories of their loss in the same round last year.

Last season, SU entered the conference tournament as the No. 5 seed and faced No. 4 UVA as well. Syracuse got out to an early lead in that match, and it carried a 2-0 advantage into the fourth quarter. However, the Cavaliers scored three fourth-quarter goals and sent the Orange home early.

But as the seconds ticked off the clock this time around, it was Syracuse (13-5, 4-4 ACC) that came out on top, defeating Virginia (13-4, 6-2 ACC) 1-0 to advance to the ACC Semifinal against No. 1 seed UNC. The victory was SU’s first win over a top-five opponent this season, and it marked its first win over the Cavaliers since Nov. 6, 2015.

“I was proud we learned from (last year’s quarterfinal),” Syracuse head coach Lynn Farquhar said. “We played as a team this time, stuck together as a unit and dug out a win.”

Syracuse controlled possession throughout the first quarter, creating several threatening chances and silencing the UVA attack. The Cavaliers only registered one shot on goal in the first quarter, while the Orange managed to fire off three.

With four minutes left in the first quarter, Bo van Kempen had a flurry of chances following SU’s first penalty corner of the match. After the insertion, van Kempen’s initial effort was saved by Virginia goalkeeper Nilou Lempers. She corralled the rebound in front of the net, and nearly scored before Mia Abello deflected the shot away.

Van Kempen had another opportunity soon after, as Syracuse won its second penalty corner with two minutes remaining in the first period. After the shot was deflected by Noa Boterman’s foot, she earned a penalty stroke, giving the Orange a prime opportunity to open the scoring early in the match. She pushed the shot past Lempers to give SU an early lead, but after a video review, it was disallowed due to illegal positioning.

The Orange carried their offensive momentum into the second quarter, finding an advantage early in the period. Just three minutes in, Taja Gans dispossessed a Cavalier defender, and her deflected pass found Willemijn Boogert making a run downfield. Boogert drove into the attacking end and found Lana Hamilton in front of the net. Hamilton’s first effort was saved by Lempers, but the rebound fell into her lap, and she converted on the second attempt. It was Hamilton’s third goal of the year, giving Syracuse a 1-0 lead.

For the rest of the match, the Orange didn’t do much on offense, as they desperately attempted to cling to their advantage. Gans was disruptive throughout the first half, but she was shaken up with five minutes left in the half after a collision with Emily Field. She played minimally following the incident, forcing the rest of the defense to step up in her absence.

“Taja was extraordinary in our first half,” Farquhar said. “The first thing she said is, ‘I feel like I let down my team because I should’ve played,’ and to me, that just speaks to the person she is. She would do anything.”

Syracuse entered the half level with Virginia on shots, with the teams having seven shots apiece throughout 30 minutes of play. Following Gans’ injury, SU failed to register a shot, while UVA had eight — three of which ended up on goal.

Though Syracuse held strong throughout the third quarter. Amelie Rees dispossessed van Kempen in front of her own arc with two minutes left in the period, and forced SU goaltender Louise Pert to make a save. After grabbing the rebound, Rees attempted to push the ball into the net, but Pert kicked it away to preserve the shutout. Pert made six saves throughout the match, her second-highest total of the year.

Syracuse limited the Cavaliers’ offense effectively in the fourth quarter, with Lauren Kenah having UVA’s lone shot on goal in the period. Despite Virginia pulling its goaltender to add an attacker with seven minutes left, the Cavaliers couldn’t generate any other substantial chances in the period.

“Even earlier this season, UVA is tough competition, we went into double overtime and shootouts,” Farquhar said. “It’s no secret they like to pull the (goalie), they like pressure, they’re a solid team.”

With less than a minute left to go, Boogert won the ball and dribbled out the clock, sealing Syracuse’s most important win of the year. Now, it looks onward to North Carolina with a spot in the ACC Final on the line.

“UNC’s solid, what’s most important is (putting) ourselves in a position to do what’s next,” Farquhar said. “Then we’ll take care of our unit and play some more hockey.”

Published on November 5, 2024 at 5:52 pm

mjpalmar@syr.edu