Virginia Field Hockey Beats No. 10 Syracuse 3-2 in Double Overtime

After suffering back-to-back losses, the Cavaliers were in need of a serious bounce-back performance. But the odds were not in their favor as UVA faced yet another top 10 opponent on the road. The Hoos delivered when it mattered most, though, and a goal by Adele Iacobucci in the waning moments of the second overtime period gave the No. 6 Virginia field hockey team a thrilling 3-2 victory at No. 10 Syracuse on Friday afternoon.

After falling behind early in each of their last two games, the Cavaliers reversed that trend and jumped on the board midway through the first quarter with Dani Mendez-Trendler sweeping a rebound into the cage for her team-leading fifth goal of the season. Laura Janssen made it 2-0 in favor of Virginia early in the second quarter as she converted on a shot assisted by Noa Boterman.

The Orange weren't down for long, coming up with an answer just a couple of minutes later on a goal by Olivia Bell to cut UVA's lead in half. Virginia outshot Syracuse 11-4 in the first half, but six saves from Syracuse goalkeeper Brooke Borzymowski kept it a one-goal game at the half.

Coming out in the second half, it was Syracuse's turn to be the aggressor, mounting six shots as compared to just one for UVA in the third quarter. Tyler Kennedy saved both shots that came her way in the period and Virginia kept its 2-1 lead entering the fourth period.

Syracuse tied things up a few minutes into the final frame, as Pieke van de Pas found the back of the cage to square things up at two goals apiece. The Orange, who remained on the attack with five penalty corners in the fourth quarter, again attempted six shots in the period, but Kennedy made three saves to keep things tied up and send this ACC showdown into overtime.

One extra period was not enough to break the tie and the second overtime nearly elapsed completely without a goal as well, but then Adele Iacobucci tipped in a shot from Jans Croon for her first goal of the season with just 26.8 seconds left on the clock, giving her team a much-needed victory.

With the win, Virginia improves to 6-3 and 1-1 in ACC play. Up next, UVA will continue conference action with another marquee road matchup at No. 4 Louisville next Friday (9/29) at 3pm.

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