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In Syracuse’s last matchup versus then-No.14 Ohio State, its offense was stagnant. The Orange recorded just six shots on goal and were shutout for the first time since Sept. 15, 2023. Consequently, SU dropped four spots in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Poll to No. 14 overall.

Unlike its loss against the Buckeyes, Syracuse came out with immediate offensive pressure Friday. In the first five minutes of the matchup, the Orange attempted four penalty corners. Though not converting on its first-quarter chances, No. 14 Syracuse (3-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) scored a goal in each of the middle quarters, defeating Northeastern (2-4, 0-0 Coastal Athletic Association) 2-0 Friday. SU attempted 22 shots compared to its 15 in the last two games combined.

Throughout the game, SU lined up Willemijn Boogert or Taja Gans for the insertion and its leading goal scorer, Bo van Kempen, at the top of the shooting circle.

“(Everyone) is asked to just come out and share your strength. It isn’t easy,” SU head coach Lynn Farquhar said postgame. “We have players coming from around the world, a lot of which are new. We are really trying to reinvent ourselves with not much time.”

While penalty corners have been one of van Kempen’s strong suits so far in 2024, she was unable to score on her seven attempts against the Huskies. Entering the matchup, van Kempen scored on three of her five shot attempts in games versus Lock Haven and Penn State.

But SU’s inability to convert offensively didn’t just lie on van Kempen. Syracuse took 22 shots but only scored on two. One of the goals came on a fast break play by Vivian Rowan, which she slotted by the goalie on the right side right before halftime. SU’s second goal came on a penalty corner, its only goal scored from the position on 11 attempts.

The goal came on a deflection by a Northeastern defender, which Hattie Madden was able to push through with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. In a game where SU struggled on penalty corners, Madden brought life to SU’s offense.

“It’s what we train for,” Madden said postgame. “You do your job, you get there. It wouldn’t be possible without everyone else doing their jobs. We won 12 corners and we want to keep doing that. Hopefully we can continue to score.”

Dating back to Syracuse’s first matchup of the season against Lock Haven, the team took 19 shots, 13 of which were on goal. Of those 13 on goal, nine were goals. Since that game, Syracuse’s offensive production has slowed.

Against Penn State, SU took seven shots. Versus Ohio State, the Orange had eight. Friday’s game brought a season-high of 22. While scoring just twice in 22 shot attempts isn’t a positive mark, the improvement in chances from recent games was a vast improvement for Syracuse’s offense

“We knew (the game versus) Ohio State wasn’t Syracuse hockey. That’s not how we play and that’s not how we want to play in the future,” Madden said. “We were hungry, and we wanted to do better. And we are still going to do better.”

Syracuse’s ability to draw in 11 corners was also a significant jump from its three against the Buckeyes. SU had combined to attempt 13 in its first three games of this season. While SU’s improved its production, there’s still room to grow in its efficiency.

“22 shots is impressive, but only two goals. We obviously want to work on that and get more on the board,” Madden said. We want to create 22 chances every game and keep it going.”

Published on September 13, 2024 at 8:50 pm

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