Box Score SYRACUSE - The University of Pennsylvania field hockey team were handed a heartbreaking 2-1 loss after a penalty shootout with No. 12 Syracuse.
Both teams started the game with an emphasis on midfield pressure. Syracuse earned the first penalty corner, and
Karen Seid did well to block the shot from Syracuse, but the Orange earned another corner.
Ava Rosati reacted quickly to make a foot save on the ensuing shot.
A period of end to end action after the corner saw another Syracuse shot blocked, and a shot by
Alexa Schneck saved.
In the 24th minute,
Julia Russo picked up a ball on the right side of the circle. Russo smacked a shot cross goal which fizzed past the keeper to put the Quakers up, 1-0. That goal was Russo's first goal for Penn.
Just before halftime, Penn had a great opportunity to extend their lead.
Rachel Mirkin found
Madison Jiranek in the circle, but Jiranek's shot bounced off the post.
Syracuse entered the second half with three shots within the first two minutes. The first was blocked, the second went wide of goal, and the third was saved well by Rosati. Syracuse continued to pile the pressure on Penn's defense.
The Orange tied the game in the 46th minute as Chiara Gutsche got her stick on a hard pass into the circle, narrowly beating Rosati.
Penn attempted to respond quickly, earning their second penalty corner of the game.
Julia Russo got off a shot but Syracuse keeper Borg van der Velde reacted quickly to keep the game tied.
Both teams continued to search for the game-winner but the game was still tied at the end of regulation.
Midway through the first period of overtime, Schneck found Russo sprinting into the circle. Russo picked up the ball but the Syracuse keeper rushed out, tightening Russo's angle and forcing her shot to go wide. Neither team was able to find the game-winner in the first overtime period, and went into double overtime.
Syracuse were handed two straight cards early in the second overtime period, but the Quakers could not take advantage of the extra-player advantage.
The Orange earned a penalty corner as the clock winded down, but the ensuing shot went wide, sending the teams to a penalty shootout.
Syracuse scored on all four of their attempts to win, 2-1.
The Quakers return to action next week as they host No. 20 Harvard at Ellen Vagelos Field on Saturday at noon. The game will be Believe in Brynn day as Penn brings light to Rett syndrome in search of a cure.
