UAlbany Field Hockey Falls to #2 Syracuse, 3-1

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior midfielder Shannon Taylor recorded two penalty corner goals to lead No. 2 Syracuse to a 3-1 win over UAlbany in non-conference field hockey action at Alumni Turf Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Great Danes started the scoring in the eighth minute, as senior midfielder Michelle Simpson dribbled into the circle from the left and slipped an unassisted shot past Syracuse goalkeeper Heather Hess. The Orange tied the game at 14:23 as Taylor recorded her first tally, with assists going to Martina Loncarica and Maggie Befort on the penalty corner.

Syracuse added another goal before halftime, as freshman forward Nicole Nelson gathered a rebound in front of the cage and pushed the ball past UAlbany goalkeeper Ashley Ross into the bottom right corner of the net. Taylor added the insurance goal in the 53rd minute to set the final score.

Syracuse (11-0) outshot UAlbany, 18-9, and held a 14-7 advantage in penalty corners. Ross finished with nine saves, while Hess stopped four shots in the cage for the Orange.

UAlbany (5-7) will kick off America East Conference play over the weekend, hosting Maine on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

-agate-

#2 Syracuse 2 1 - 3

UAlbany 1 0 - 1

Syracuse: Scoring – Shannon Taylor (2-0), Nicole Nelson (1-0), Martina Loncarica (0-2), Maggie Befort (0-2). Goalkeeper – Heather Hess (70:00, 1 GA, 4 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring – Michelle Simpson (1-0). Goalkeeper: Ashley Ross (70:00, 3 GA, 9 saves).