“Bad blood” was the theme of Saturday's field hockey match between No. 1 Syracuse and No. 6 Wake Forest. It was the first time the teams faced off since Wake Forest defeated Syracuse last year in the ACC Championship. Syracuse came to the field with a mission: to dominate and defeat Wake Forest. Revenge was sweet for the juiced up Orange when they beat Wake Forest 6-0.
“We’re going to smash them,” Alma Fenne, senior midfielder, said. “We are literally going to kill them and we did.”
Syracuse set the tempo early in the game. They scored within the first couple of minutes and scored four more goals by halftime. They had 12 shots on goal by halftime while Wake Forest only had three. Syracuse’s momentum carried through the second half where they allowed no shots on their goal. Syracuse was able to prove why they are currently ranked No. 1 by setting the tempo, playing tactically, and charging Wake Forest’s defense again and again.
Players such as Fenne, junior forward Emma Lamison, and senior goalkeeper Jess Jecko played integral roles in this game. Lamison assisted Fenne twice, who scored three goals for a hat trick. Jecko blocked every Wake Forest attempt at a goal for a shutout.
Fenne and Lamison manipulated Wake Forest’s defense to create and execute shots. With Fenne's senior year coming to a close within the next couple of weeks, the drive and excitement of the season was evident in not only how she played but also in the outcome of the game.
“To be able to come out and score goals against every team makes us really diverse and be able to play against anyone,” Lamison said. “When competition is better, it makes you play better.”
Syracuse will play their last regular season home game on Sunday afternoon against No. 19 Princeton. This game honored the Orange seniors. Syracuse will play one more regular season game before the ACC Championship against No.4 Duke on Saturday, October 24, at 1 p.m. in Durham, North Carolina.
Syracuse is currently 15-0. Will this season end with a ring? Only time will tell.
