SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 14 Syracuse (2-0, 0-0 ACC) scored three goals in the first five minutes of the second half and dealt the Vermont field hockey team (1-1, 0-0 AE) its first loss of the season, 6-0, on Sunday afternoon.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE

"We are disappointed with this result. Credit to Syracuse for capitalizing on its chances and our mistakes," head coach Kate Pfeifer said. "I'm happy with the way we competed in the first and fourth quarters. Unfortunately we had some significant lapses, particularly in the third. And when you turn the ball over or start diving in on tackles, a team like this will take advantage. We were tested more today and with that comes opportunity for growth. I hope we embrace it as we prepare for the next one."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was a defensive battle in the first 15 minutes of the contest as neither team registered a shot.
• Syracuse struck for two in an instant starting at the 12:09 mark of the second quarter on the strength of back-to-back penalty corners in a span of less than a minute. The tandem of SJ Quigley and Tess Queen set up blasts from the top of circle from Eefke van den Nieuwenhof for her first two goals of the season and a 2-0 Orange lead.
• Senior goalkeeper Sierra Espeland stood tall late in the first half making five saves in the final 1:48 including a huge plank save on one of seven second-quarter Syracuse corners. She made seven total saves in the first half.
• The Orange extended its lead to 3-0 just over a minute into the third quarter. Quirine Comans sent a crossing feed in front of the Vermont cage and after a tough bounce under a Catamount stick Laura Graziosi slotted it home.
• Syracuse scored twice more in the third and then a found a goal in the fourth to build a 6-0 lead that the Cats just could not cut into.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Espeland made a career-high 14 saves on the afternoon. It's the third time in her career she's reached double-digit saves.
• Syracuse outshot Vermont 27-1 and earned 13 penalty corners to Vermont's two.
• Clodagh Ferry accounted for Vermont's lone shot on the Syracuse cage.

WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts return to action next weekend with another pair of non-conference games starting on Friday afternoon at UMass. UVM plays its home opener on Sunday when Holy Cross comes to town for a 1 p.m. start at Moulton Winder Field.