Syracuse to Host Opening Rounds of NCAA Field Hockey Tournament This Weekend at J.S. Coyne Stadium

Story by Robin Deehan

Video by Robin Deehan

The No. 4 Syracuse field hockey team will host No. 6 Penn State, No. 19 Boston University and ACC Rival No. 10 Boston College this weekend in the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

Syracuse is looking for better results this weekend after falling just short of the ACC Title last weekend with a 2-0 loss to Wake Forest.

“I think the biggest thing we took from this weekend is that we knew that obviously we lost, and that was disappointing, but there’s a bigger trophy that’s in play now and that’s our focus now,” midfielder Alyssa Manley said.

Captain Emma Russell said the team is excited to get back on Coyne for the NCAA Tournament but is focusing on one game at a time.

“Just being home and playing on our field is really important and just treating it as if we have one more game,” Russell said. “We only have one more game this season and we have to earn every other game, so that’s the way we are looking it.

First up for the Orange will be Boston University this Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Penn State and Boston College will play later in the 2 p.m. slot and the winners will meet Sunday at 2 p.m. to determine who will punch a ticket to the Final Four.

Team Notes:

No. 4 Syracuse (15-5)

-Syracuse had its first win against the top ranked team in the country since 2008 with a 3-2 overtime win against No. 1 UNC in the ACC Tournament Semi-Final

-Emma Russell set two ACC tournament records, most goals scored in a single game with four and most goals scored in an ACC Tournament with six

No. 6 Penn State (15-5)

-The Nittany Lions are coming off a tough 2-1 loss to No. 2 Maryland in the Big Ten Semi-Final Game

-Katie Andrews lead a strong defensive effort in the Big Ten Tournament, shutting out Michigan State in the first round and holding Maryland to just 14 shots in the semi-final game, eight less than the team’s season average.

No. 10 Boston College (13-6)

-The Eagles will be looking to upset Syracuse this weekend after losing to the Orange 5-2 in the first round of the ACC Tournament

-Goalkeeper Leah Settipane leads the ACC with 113 saves so far this season

No. 19 Boston University (13-7)

-The Terriers are coming off their first ever Patriot League Title after beating Bucknell 2-1 last weekend

-Amanda Cassera had a hand in four of the five BU Patriot League Tournament goals, the forward has a team high 32-points this season