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Syracuse field hockey (6-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) remained at No. 15 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Week 4 Poll, which was released Tuesday. This past week, SU defeated Wake Forest 1-0 to earn its first conference win this season. The Orange also lost a tight 1-0 contest to then-No. 9 Duke, which is now ranked 12th in the poll.
After netting 328 points in Week 3, Syracuse only managed to earn 308 points in the Week 4 Poll but maintained the same position. It was the first time that SU has lost points in the rankings since Week 2, when it dropped from 389 to 300. The newest rankings marked the third consecutive week at No. 15 for the Orange, who started the season ranked No. 10.
On Friday against Wake Forest, Bo van Kempen was the lone goal scorer for the Orange. While its defense prevented any real attacking threat from the Demon Deacons, SU had struggled to create offense until the fourth quarter. With seven minutes left in the match, van Kempen corralled a rebound and fired a shot past goalkeeper Ellie Todd. It was van Kempen’s sixth goal of the season, sealing Syracuse’s fourth shutout victory.
Duke stifled Syracuse’s attack Sunday, allowing just three shots on target through 80 minutes of play. Louise Pert put SU in a position to win the match, saving all of Duke’s seven shots on target during live game action. However, once Duke took Syracuse to its first penalty-stroke shootout of the season, the Orange missed three out of their four shots, giving the Blue Devils their first conference win of the season.
After a two-week road trip, the Orange head back to J.S. Coyne Stadium for another homestand. Syracuse has two crucial ranked matchups this week, as they are set to face No. 16 Louisville Friday and No. 14 Princeton Sunday.
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