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Virginia poses a challenge every time it faces Syracuse. The Orange, who have scored the Atlantic Coast Conference’s second-most goals, have presented an efficient offensive threat. But, their defense has constantly struggled. Even in SU’s loss to UVA earlier in the season, it allowed two goals late, leading to an eventual penalty-shootout defeat.

In Syracuse’s last 11 matchups with Virginia, the Orange have lived in the losing column. Allowing an average of 2.27 goals over the 11 games since 2015, a constant kryptonite for SU has been Virginia’s offense.

Yet, all No. 5-seed Syracuse (13-5, 4-4 ACC) needed was one goal in its 1-0 quarterfinal victory over No. 4-seed Virginia (13-4, 6-2 ACC). The Orange’s offense attempted seven shots throughout the game, while their defense deferred the Cavaliers’ 15 tries into no scores.

Five minutes into the contest, it seemed like a constant back-and-forth affair was set to occur. Both defenses played passively with continuous offensive force from each squad, making saves and batting balls to the other side of the field.

Syracuse, which has struggled to defend against ranked opponents, started the game with an immediate challenge. A fast break by Virginia put SU in a problematic position to get back. However, Lottie Summers thwarted UVA’s attack.

Virginia continued pushing later in the quarter when Lauren Kenah, a midfielder, pushed downfield. She took a shot toward the net, but SU goaltender Louise Pert deflected it with her left arm for her first save of the day. Unfortunately for SU, the ball stayed in the shooting circle and the Cavaliers received a penalty corner.

Virginia, which converted on 10 of its 85 penalty corner attempts during the regular season, lined up for its first attempt of the day. An insertion by Dani Mendez-Trendler couldn’t be handled, allowing Lieke Leeggangers enough time to reach the top of the circle. Leeggangers blocked the ball, but UVA got a second chance because of a foul.

This time, Berber Bakermans made the critical block. Bakermans got to the spot and as the shot was taken connected with the ball to knock it out of play.

“They’re brave. They would step up into any role,” SU head coach Lynn Farquhar said postgame. “Our first runners took the hits and just did it again. They have a special kind of grit back there and showed it today.”

Syracuse escaped the first quarter, but Virginia continued to pressure its defense in the second. An Orange goal gave their defense a cushion, but UVA’s offense came firing, attempting a penalty corner just two minutes later.

On the Cavaliers’ attempt, a shot from Jans Croon seemed to pose a possible tying goal. Phoebe Hall knocked the try away, though. UVA’s momentum was silenced for another two minutes before Pert made another save.

“Louise had an excellent game today. (She) was the spark and then it was contagious,” Farquhar said.

With five shots and two corner attempts by Virginia in the second quarter, Syracuse remained ahead 1-0 heading into the break. An injury to Taja Gans added some pressure to SU’s defense, but it held its ground with key plays from Bo and Hattie Madden and continued protection from Leeggangers.

The Cavaliers started the third quarter with immediate movement. An obstruction call by Summers set UVA to take its fifth corner of the game. A fake shot led Gans to dive, though her stick clipped the ball just enough to take it off its course. Two more saves later by Pert retained SU’s lead before Hall made the play of the game.

Amelie Rees dribbled through several SU defenders with one minute remaining in the third. After shifting the ball around a flood of defenders, only Pert stood ahead. On the shot, Pert slipped but made the save.

The ball deflected back to Rees, who took a second attempt. With Pert still on the ground, the net seemed empty, though Hall came out of nowhere to drive the ball away. While practically standing on the goal line, Hall got her stick down just in time to prevent the score.

Still, it was clear in the fourth quarter that UVA wasn’t done. Mia Abello took a forceful shot one minute into the frame, which Bo hit away. Another attempt occurred immediately after, and this time, Hattie stepped up.

Pert racked her sixth save as Leeggangers put her body on the line. UVA played an added attacker with seven minutes remaining, but SU’s defense didn’t fret.

Virginia’s 15 shots were the most SU had seen since its last battle with the Cavaliers on Oct. 18. Unlike last time, the Orange were prepared for it.

“UVA is tough competition. They like pressure,” Farquhar said. “We just played as a team, stuck together as a unit and dug out a win.”

Published on November 5, 2024 at 4:37 pm

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