When the Syracuse field hockey team walks onto Coyne Field for the final time this year, tonight at 7, it will focus solely on Cornell.

SU’s chance for a Big East tournament berth has vanished. And much like they have for the past few weeks, the Orangewomen will play mainly for pride, hoping to finish their two remaining games on a positive note.

‘To be honest with you, we’ve been playing with nothing to play for for a while,’ Syracuse head coach Kathleen Parker said after Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Connecticut. ‘I haven’t talked about the tournament since (Oct. 10), the day after we lost to Villanova and Rutgers beat Providence. We’ve basically assumed that we were eliminated from the tournament because the odds were so astronomical that it wasn’t, in my mind, even worth thinking about.’

The same can be said of Cornell, whose remaining games also have no postseason implications. After winning two of its first three games, the Big Red (3-10) has dropped nine of its past 10, including a 2-1 loss to Brown on Sunday.

Syracuse and Cornell shared three common opponents this season: Central Michigan, Columbia and Lafayette. The Orangewomen beat Central Michigan and Columbia but lost to Lafayette. Cornell went 1-2 in those common games, beating only Columbia, 3-1.

But those previous results will have little bearing on tonight’s game. The Orangewomen and Big Red want to just string together strong finishes to their seasons.

Tonight will also mark the final home game for two significant SU seniors, Jackie Sheaffer and Ann-Marie Guglieri.

SU honored Sheaffer, Guglieri and their parents before Sunday’s game against Connecticut with official Senior Day ceremonies.

This season, Guglieri has five goals and six assists. Her 48 career points are the most for any current Orangewomen. Not only does she provide a consistent scoring threat at forward but also offers intangible contributions.

‘Nobody has shown more hard work than Ann-Marie,’ Parker said. ‘She gives everything from her toes on up. More than any player I’ve ever had, she’s left the field with no regrets.’

Sheaffer has also been a consistent force the past four years for the Orangewomen. Whether she’s playing forward or back, Sheaffer’s name has constantly appeared in SU’s lineup.

‘She’s not a flashy player – very unselfish,’ Parker said. ‘She plays wherever I ask her to play, whenever I ask her to play, and she’s given us the same steady play.’

Published on October 28, 2003 at 12:00 pm