University of Louisville
SYRACUSE
No. 7 Syracuse Edges Field Hockey 3-2
September 18, 2009 | Field Hockey
Sept. 18, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Martina Loncarica's goal with just under four minutes remaining in the game gave seventh-ranked Syracuse a 3-2 win over the host 16th-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team Friday at Trager Stadium. It was the BIG EAST Conference opener for both teams. The Orange improve to 6-1 (1-0) while the Cards fall to 4-3 (0-1).
"I'm proud of the way we came out in the first half and really contained our emotion and played poised on the field," said U of L head coach Pam Bustin. "Syracuse is a talented and experienced team and this game was typical of BIG EAST Conference play - very competitive and a lot of emotion involved."
After battling in the midfield throughout much of the first half, the Cards got on the scoreboard when junior Nikki Auker's breakaway shot was turned back by Syracuse goalkeeper Ashleigh McGowan. A scramble in front of the cage resulted in a goal by freshman Haley Jurich to put the Cards up 1-0.
Louisville held the lead going into the break after edging Syracuse in shots 4-3, each of the team had one penalty corner in the first half.
Syracuse began to apply offensive pressure in the opening minutes of the second half, drawing two quick penalty corners. On the second corner of the half, Louisville senior goalkeeper Heather Bustanoby stopped Nicole Nelson's shot, but Amy Kee connected on the rebound to tie the game at 1-1 at the 41:56 mark.
The score remained knotted for the next 12 minutes before Syracuse's Heather Susek found herself open at the top of the circle and blasted a shot just past Bustanoby in the left corner of the cage to give the Orange a 2-1 lead.
The Cards answered three minutes later when junior Nicole Youman tipped junior Karah Nall's penalty corner shot to make it a 2-2 game at the 56:57 mark.
With just under four minutes remaining, the Orange were awarded their sixth penalty corner of the half. Bustanoby stopped Kee's initial shot, but Loncarico was there to knock the ball into the cage for the 3-2 win.
U of L had one corner in the final four minutes, but was unable to convert.
Syracuse outshot the Cards 11-7 and held a 7-4 corner advantage. Louisville's Bustanoby (4-3) posted four saves, while McGowan (6-1) had four stops in the game.
U of L will play host to Michigan Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Trager Stadium.
