The No. 3 Syracuse Orange field hockey team is now the proud owner of a three-game win streak after Sunday's victory over No. 16 Boston College.
Freshman Gillian Pinder had two goals and two assists and freshman Emma Russell added two goals of her own en route to a 4-2 Orange (15-1) victory over visiting Boston College (9-8).
Pinder, starting in place of the ill Leonie Geyer at midfield, took full advantage of her starting opportunity, increasing her season totals to seven goals and six assists.
Russell and Pinder are both natives of Ireland, and found themselves working well with their fellow countrywomen.
“We connected really well,” Russell said. “We were working well off the sidelines and just talked well, communicated well.”
The Orange were up 2-0 with Russell and Pinder's first goals, and increased their lead to 3-0 after Pinder set up Russell for a shot from the left side just a minute and half into the second half.
But, three minutes later the Eagles rally began, as their strangle-hold on time of possession finally turned into production, as Boston College scored two unanswered goals in six minute, leaving the Orange's lead just 3-2.
Pinder, who scored the first goal of the game, capitalized on a penalty corner with 18 minutes left in the game, scoring on a tip-in knocked her way by freshman Alyssa Manley.
“It's always a tight game when you're only leading by one goal,” Pinder said. “A slip-up puts you right back on even field, so it's important to get that two goal cushion.”
The Orange (5-0 Big East) play their final game of the regular season against rival No. 4 Connecticut (16-1) (4-0 Big East) for the regular season Big East crown at home on Saturday at 1 p.m. before the Big East tournament begins next week.
