Defensive struggles and a high-powered Syracuse offense proved to be too much for Boston College field hockey, as the Eagles fell to the Orange 6–2 in the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals.
Fourth-seeded BC (8–9, 3–3 Atlantic Coast) and fifth-seeded Syracuse (14–4, 3–3) both entered the tournament with the same 3–3 conference record, but in BC’s previous matchup the Orange came away with a 3–0 shutout win. History repeated itself on Tuesday, as the Orange ran away with a 3–2 lead at halftime to take down BC 6–2, knocking the Eagles out of the tournament.
The Eagles jumped out to a quick lead just five minutes into the game. BC’s offense rattled off two quick shots that Syracuse goalie Brooke Borzymowski deflected before Autumn Littlefield sent the ball into the back net to put BC up 1–0.
The Orange dominated possession of the ball for the rest of the quarter following BC’s goal and entered the shooting circle multiple times looking to score. With 1:20 to play in the first quarter, Quirine Comans tied the game at 1–1 ahead of the second quarter after breaking through BC goaltender Emily Gillespie’s defense.
A green card against Syracuse’s Sabine van den Eijnden just under two minutes into the second quarter allowed BC to march down the field looking to break the tie, but the Eagles didn’t capitalize on the advantage. A series of turnovers by BC set up an opportunity for Syracuse to take control, and Charlotte de Vries broke the tie, scoring from the left side off an assist from Joy Haarman to make it 2–1.
Syracuse’s 2–1 lead didn’t last for long, though, as the Eagles’ Milagros Arteta recovered her own whiffed shot and slid the ball past Borzymowski to tie the game at 2–2 just over 10 minutes into the second quarter.
The scoring barrage didn’t stop there, though, as the Orange took advantage of a penalty corner with a smooth shot into the top shelf from Eefke van den Nieuwenhof, giving Syracuse the 3–2 lead with 3:03 left in the half.
The first half was an offensive battle, as Syracuse took 15 shots through the first 30 minutes and BC took nine. Syracuse took advantage of BC’s defensive woes, earning five penalty corners in the first half.
Syracuse took possession of the ball 6:59 into the third quarter, and, following a pass from Lana Hamilton, Haarman had a one-on-one opportunity against Gillepsie. Haarman scored to give the Orange a 4–2 lead.
Officials handed Mia Garber a yellow card in the fourth quarter, putting the Eagles down a player for five minutes. The Orange weren’t finished scoring, and Comans tallied her second goal of the game increasing Syracuse’s lead to 5–2.
Still up a player in the game, Syracuse once again glided through the Eagles’ defense and Willemijn Boogert scored the Orange’s sixth goal of the game, sealing their win and advancement to the semifinals.
Despite having seven corner opportunities in the second half, BC failed to convert on any of its chances.
BC now waits for its fate to be determined in the NCAA Tournament selection show, which will take place on Nov. 6.
