University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
No. 3 Syracuse
Spiders Squeezed by Orange Down Stretch
11/12/2011 | Field Hockey
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After playing a nearly flawless first half, Richmond field hockey allowed a pair of goals in the final 20:00 as the team fell, 2-0, to No. 3 Syracuse in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at Maryland's Lacrosse and Field Hockey Complex in College Park, Md.
Richmond (16-7, 5-1 A-10) proved the more stalwart squad on both ends of the field in Saturday's scoreless first half with the Orange (19-3, 5-1 BIG EAST). While the Spiders had plenty of chances, including what looked like a score that was waved off at the last second, and granted three penalty corners in the opening frame, it was sophomore goalkeeper Anna Zarkoski who highlighted the half with a huge save on a Syracuse penalty shot.
The Orange began to find its stride in the second half with freshman midfielder Jordan Page posting the game's first goal in the 50th minute on a blast from a few yards out after receiving a feed from senior midfielder Martina Loncarica at the right side of the cage.
Senior forward Heather Susek would add an insurance goal less than five minutes later when she slid the ball behind Zarkoski, who had stepped out to make the stop.
Senior forward Katelin Peterson paced the Spiders with six shots, including four on goal, while classmate Emily Straniero secured a pair of strikes on the day. Zarkoski finished with five saves and her counterpart across the pitch in Leann Stiver ended the afternoon with four stops for Syracuse.
The Orange held a narrow12-9 advantage in shots, while the Spiders came away with a 5-4 edge in penalty corners.
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