'Cuse Shuts Out Cal to Claim Season Opener

Friday, August 25

Berkeley, CA

5 p.m.

Syracuse University

(1-0)

Cal

(0-1)

Syracuse

California

8/25/2017 7:40:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Goals from Lies Lagerweij and Jennifer Bleakney powered the No. 5 Syracuse field hockey team (1-0) to a season-opening victory at Cal on Friday afternoon.

The 'Cuse defense turned in a shutout performance in the first-career action for freshman goalkeeper Borg van der Velde as the Orange out-shot the Golden Bears 9-4 on the day. 'Cuse also won the corner battle 2-1 and scored on their first corner opportunity of the year.

"It was great that we were able to find a way to win together," said head coach Ange Bradley. "We also have a lot of opportunity to grow and continue to get better."

Lagerweij got the Orange on the board less than five minutes into the season, when after Syracuse had earned a corner, she blasted a shot off the set piece for the tally. Bleakney served as the inserter on the play, with Gillingham the stick-stop and both earned assists on the play.

BANG! 1 corner, one shot, one goal.

Lies Lagerweij opens up the scoring off a corner. pic.twitter.com/ugMdC7fxsw
— Orange Field Hockey (@CuseFH) August 25, 2017

After going the next 52 minutes with no score, Syracuse again broke through with just under 13 minutes remaining. This time it was Bleakney who found the back of the net. After Roos Weers sent a ball into the circle, Bleakney fired a shot into the back left and provided the insurance on the lead.