Duke Falls to Syracuse on Senior Day

Saturday, October 16

Durham, N.C.

12 P.M.

Duke University

(5-9, 0-5)

Syracuse

(11-2, 4-0)

Syracuse

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Duke Falls to Syracuse on Senior Day

10/16/2021 2:55:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score BOX SCORE Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.C.—Duke graduate student MaryKate Neff scored a goal and had an assist in a 7-2 setback to seventh-ranked Syracuse in ACC field hockey action Saturday afternoon at Jack Katz Stadium. The Blue Devils concluded their regular season home schedule, honoring the collection of nine seniors and graduate students after the game.

Saturday featured the final regular season home game for graduate students Lexi Davidson, MaryKate Neff, Eva Nunnink and Lily Posternak as well as seniors Leah Crouse, Caroline Hanan, Grace Kim, Olivia Sahaydak and Noor van de Laar.

Blue Devil rookie Logan Clouser registered Duke's other goal as she notched at least one point for the fifth time in the past six games. Syracuse (11-2, 4-0) was led by Quirine Comans who had a goal and two assists.

The Orange wasted no time in getting on the board as Comans dribbled into the circle and beat a couple Duke backs before putting a shot into the left side of the cage for the 1-0 lead at the 1:05 mark.

Duke settled into the game for a bit after that and had a couple good looks at goal denied by Syracuse goalkeeper Brooke Borzymowski. The rookie goalie finished with four saves in the first quarter.

In the 11th minute, Comans struck again as she found Clara Morrison on the left post on her pass from the right side of the goal for a 2-0 lead at the first break.
Syracuse added two more redirect goals in the second quarter to head into the locker room with a 4-0 lead.

After an absolutely incredible shot off the penalty corner from Eefke Van den Nieuwenhof for a fifth Syracuse goal midway through the third quarter, the Blue Devils spoiled the Orange's bid for a shutout.

On its second penalty corner of the afternoon, Duke elected to play the ball all the way out of the circle. Graduate student Eva Nunnink collected the ball and pushed it back into the circle where Neff redirected it over to the right side of the cage for Clouser to give a tap across the goal line to make it a 5-1 game after three stanzas.

The Blue Devils found success on the penalty corner again in the 57th minute as Neff perfectly redirected a hit from Nunnink directly off the stop from Lexi Davidson. Lily Posternak provided on the insert.

Syracuse capitalized on a great save from Piper Hampsch in the final five seconds, tapping in a rebound to bring the final score to 7-2. Hampsch was outstanding in the fourth quarter, making six saves and seven overall in her 30 minutes of action.

Grace Brightbill earned the start in goal and made four saves in the first half of action. Borzymowski finished with four stops as Syracuse outshot Duke 21-8 for the game.

Duke (5-9, 0-5) hits the road to close out the regular season. The Blue Devils travel to Boston College, Oct. 22 and Boston University, Oct. 24.

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