SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Sydney Melfi tied the game at 1-1 off a penalty stroke with 22:36 remaining in the opening half, but No. 11 Syracuse (1-0) scored a pair of late first half goals and took a 4-1 final over Vermont (0-1) at J.S. Coyne Stadium Friday afternoon.
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Box Score
COACH'S QUOTE
"We had some good moments today, and I was proud of how the team responded in the first half to tie it up." head coach
Kate Pfeifer said. "We have work to do on our special teams, and credit to Syracuse for executing their corner opportunities and securing the win."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Sophomore goalie Sierra Espeland (8 saves) made several stops in the opening 10 minutes; however, the Orange struck first off a penalty corner rebound from 'Cuse's Roos Weers 10:12 into the match.
- Melfi drew a penalty stroke driving to the net two minutes after the Syracuse goal. Melfi ripped a shot that trickled through Orange goalie Borg van der Velde (4 saves).
- Laura Graziosi scored in the 30th minute to give Syracuse a 2-1 advantage. Weers scored her second of the half in the 33rd minute to make it 3-1.
- The second half saw back and forth action and a lone goal from Syracuse's Chiara Gutsche in the 51st minute.
- With 60 seconds remaining, Espeland dove across the crease and made a dazzling glove save on a one-timed shot from sophomore Carolin Hoffman.
- Espeland made her first career start in goal and four Cats made their first appearances in Green & Gold: Clodagh Ferry, Peppe Haantjes, Lydia Maitland, and Hannah Minns.
WHO'S NEXT
Vermont returns to Moulton-Winder Field on Sunday (Aug. 26) to host the Quinnipiac Bobcats (0-1). The match is slated to begin at 12 p.m. with Vermont looking for its third straight win in the home opener.
