Field hockey: first ACC victory over Louisville highlights weekend sweep

No. 13 Syracuse vs. No. 5 Louisville

After being outscored 9-3 through its first three Atlantic Coast Conference games, Syracuse finally found an offensive groove against the Cardinals (10-3, 3-2 ACC).

Freshman Laura Hurff scored a pair of goals to help the Orange (9-3, 1-3 ACC) upset the Cardinals, 3-1, at J.S. Coyne Stadium Saturday.

"At the end of the day, we were aggressive and we came out to play like we are a viable contender for an ACC championship," SU head coach Ange Bradley said.

Hurff opened the scoring in the 28th minute when she redriceted a shot from Annalena Ulbrich past Louisville goalkeeper Sydney King.

Emma Russell later doubled the lead on a give-and-go by Alyssa Manley early in the second half, and Hurff added the insurance tally midway through the frame.

SU outshot the Cardinals 19-7.

No. 13 Syracuse at Cornell

Without much rest, the Orange boarded a bus to Ithaca to face Cornell (8-3) on Sunday. Luckily, it brought its offensive magic along for the ride.

Hurff scored once again, and Ulbrich tallied two goals of her own to lead SU in a 5-0 rout of the Big Red.

Ulbrich, Russell and Hurff all scored to give SU a 3-0 lead at the half, while Ulbrich and fellow breakout freshman Lieke Visser padded the lead in the second period.

Ulbrich now leads the Orange (10-3) with 10 goals this season, while Visser leads the team with 28 points.

Syracuse will face Wake Forest on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Winston-Salem, N.C.