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All the news for Sunday 20 October 2019

2019 Sultan of Johor Cup - Finals
Johor Bahru (MAS)

Results

19 Oct 2019     NZL v AUS (5/6th Placing)     2 - 4
19 Oct 2019     MAS v JPN (3/4th Placing)     3 - 2
19 Oct 2019     IND v GBR (Final)             1 - 2

Final positions

1. Great Britain    
2. India        
3. Malaysia        
4. Japan        
5. Australia        
6. New Zealand

FIH Match Centre

Australia stun New Zealand in their final match at Sultan of Johor Cup



Australia have used a big first half to stun the New Zealand U21 side in their final match at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia. The 4-2 loss means that New Zealand finish the tournament in 6th place. Despite the result, there was a lot of great takeaways from the tournament which saw the kiwis come away with wins over Australia and a comprehensive 6-0 win over the bronze medal-winning Malaysian team.

Australia started the match and went immediately into the ascendancy. In the first minute of the match Australia earned themselves a penalty corner, New Zealand goalkeeper Louis Beckett pulled off a great glove save to deny the Australians. Both sides then managed to create several opportunities in what was a great back and forth open first quarter. Just before the end of the first quarter, Australia found an open Daniel McBride at the top of the circle who powered a shot past the New Zealand goalkeeper and put Australia in a strong position in the match. Moments later Australia had their second goal of the match when New Zealand turned over the ball in their circle and Lachlan Busiko managed to put the ball into the back of the goal.

New Zealand came out in the second quarter of the match and were looking to hold possession and construct some good opportunities against what was looking like a confident Australian side. The Australian side who have struggled with their penalty corner attack managed to convert one just before the half time break when a Lachlan Busiko flick took a deflection on the way through to the goal.

New Zealand went into the second half trailing 3-0 and needing a big second-half effort to secure fifth place in the tournament. The kiwis were playing more confidently at the start of the second half as they searched for their first goal to get them back into the contest. The New Zealand side was eventually rewarded in the sixth minute of the third quarter when Carl Ulrich flicked in a rocket of a flick that sailed into the Australian goal. The lead was restored for the Australian side when a mistimed drag out from a penalty corner was swept into the goal from Daniel McBride.

New Zealand entered the fourth and final quarter with a three-goal deficit and staring down the barrel of defeat to a well-disciplined Australian side that was forcing the New Zealand team into turnovers deep in their half. The kiwis continued to fight in the match but couldn’t find the goals to get them back into the contest. Dylan Thomas clawed one back late in the match off a great Sean Findlay run, the ball popped up on the back post and Thomas slammed it into the goal.

New Zealand 2 (Charl Ulrich 36 min, Dylan Thomas 56 min)
Australia 4 (Daniel McBride 13, 38 min, Lachlan Busiko 15, 27 min)

2019 Sultan of Johor – New Zealand Results

New Zealand v Great Britain. Loss 0-2
New Zealand v India. Loss 2-8
New Zealand v Malaysia. Won 6-0
New Zealand v Japan. Loss 2-4
New Zealand v Australia. Won 3-1
New Zealand v Australia. Loss 2-4
Final Placing: 6th

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Malaysia grab third place after beating Japan

By Jugjet Singh


Malaysia goalkeeper Hamiz Mohd Ahir saves a shot by Japan’s Kazumasa Matsumoto (fourth from left) in yesterday’s Sultan of Johor Cup match at Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.-Bernama

MALAYSIA edged Japan 3-2 to finish third in the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.

After winning the inaugural tournament in 2011, Malaysia only came close with a silver in 2013.

Yesterday's bronze equalled their 2015 performance, and coach Nor Saiful Zaini’s boys did well to end up on the podium following an erratic performance in the tournament.

Akhimullah Anuar Esook (14th), Adam Aiman Mamat (18th) and Shafiq Hassan (37th) scored for Malaysia while Riku Tamura (23rd) and Keigo Tamura (57th) replied for Japan.

The Sultan of Johor Cup is part of their preparation for the Junior Asia Cup in Dhaka on June 4-14. They will face Japan, India, Pakistan, South Korea and China in the tournament, which is a qualifier for the Junior World Cup.

‘We achieved our target by finishing on the podium. The players gave their best to finish third.

‘This is an improvement from the fifth placing last year, and I believe with more exposure, my players will be ready for the Junior World Cup qualifier in Dhaka,’said Nor Saiful Zaini.

RESULTS - Final: India 1 Britain 2; Third-Fourth: Malaysia 3 Japan 2; Fifth-Sixth: Australia 4 New Zealand 2.

New Straits Times

Rushmere’s last minute winner earns U21s Sultan of Johor Cup title



Great Britain’s U21s men were crowned 2019 Sultan of Johor Cup victors with a dramatic 2-1 victory over India as Stuart Rushmere bagged a brilliant brace, scoring the winning goal coming in the final minute.

After the fireworks from Friday’s thrilling 3-3 draw between these two sides, the final was largely a much more contained match as the teams looked resolute in defence, with the score remaining goalless until the final quarter.

The game roared into life in the last 15 minutes as Rushmere struck, notching the winning goal with three seconds left on the clock to make it back to back Sultan of Johor Cup gold medals for the team.

India started the game brightly with Maninder Singh coming close on a solo run as his looping reverse stick hit the crossbar.

Sudeep Chirmako also looking dangerous during the opening-quarter with James Mazarelo making a good save to prevent India from taking an early lead.

Mazarelo was again called into action minutes later, making a superb save to deny India from the first penalty corner of the match to keep the game goalless after 15 minutes.

India began the second quarter with consecutive penalty corners but were unable to make the most of the opportunity as Great Britain stood firm in defence with Oliver Payne on hand to deny the opposition.

Two sensational saves from Payne in quick succession kept India out when shooting from close range before GB broke forward on the counter attack and posed questions of their own.

GB came within inches of taking the lead, Rohan Bhuhi pouncing on a loose ball in the circle but firing just wide as the opening-half finished goalless.

More good work from Mazarelo in goal kept India out, this time using his stick to block and sweep the ball clear of the circle before blocking Maninder Singh’s drag flick from a penalty corner.

India earned two penalty corners shortly into the fourth quarter and eventually were able to make their chances count with Gursahibijt Singh stroking the ball into the backboard to take the lead with just over ten minutes remaining.

Great Britain weren’t behind for long though, having won a penalty corner their initial flick was well blocked on the line, but Rushmere was well positioned to tuck the follow up attempt into the back of the net to level the scores.

Daniel West came close from scoring the winning goal but his attempt at deflecting the ball in at the near post went narrowly wide.

The match looked set to be settled by a penalty shootout, but for the heroics of Rushmere. Having peppered the Indian ‘keeper with shots, Rushmere was able to strike the decisive blow with just three seconds left on the clock to put the team 2-1 up and secure the 2019 Sultan of Johor Cup title in dramatic style.

India 1 (0)
Gursahibjit Singh (49', PC)

Great Britain 2 (0)
Rushmere (50', PC. 59', FG)

Starting XI: Mazarelo (GK), Nurse, Oates, Griffiths, Ramshaw, West, Park, Wall, MacKenzie, Buckle, Rushmere
Subs: Payne (GK), Stanley, Russell, Golden, Bhuhi, Williamson, McConnell

Great Britain Hockey media release

Great Britain defend Sultan of Johor Cup title in dramatic fashion

By The Hockey Paper



A decisive goal from Stuart Rushmere moments from the final hooter sparked wild, jubilant scenes as Great Britain defended their Sultan of Johor Cup title and became the first side to win the prestigious under-21 hockey event.

Great Britain, who have made great strides under coach Jon Bleby, beat India 2-1 with Rushmere, who plays for Loughborough Students, proving the standout in the final thanks to his brace of goals.

But James Mazarelo and Oliver Payne were brilliant in the GB goal, as they were throughout the tournament, while Tim Nurse looked assured at the back.

It meant that India, despite their array of PCs, found it hard to make inroads, but they took the lead when Gursahibijt Singh struck home.

Rushmere forced the ball home for the equaliser and with the game heading to a shoot-out, GB had four attempts on goal in a final fling as Rushmere thrashed home with seconds remaining.

Starting XI: Mazarelo (GK), Nurse, Oates, Griffiths, Ramshaw, West, Park, Wall, MacKenzie, Buckle, Rushmere
Subs: Payne (GK), Stanley, Russell, Golden, Bhuhi, Williamson, McConnell

The Hockey Paper will review GB’s win in our next print issue.

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The Hockey Paper

India loses to Great Britain in Sultan of Johor Cup final

Indian junior men's hockey team lost the Sultan of Johor Cup final 1-2 to Great Britain on Saturday at Johor Bahru.


The Indian junior men's hockey team for the Sultan of Johor Cup 2019.   -  SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Indian junior hockey men's team lost a second consecutive final to Great Britian in the Sultan of Johor Cup as it succumbed to a 1-2 loss at Johor Bahru on Saturday.

After the first three quarters of the match went goalless, Indian forward Gursahibjit Singh broke the deadlock in the 49th minute with a goal from a penalty corner. However, Britian struck back through Stuart Rushmere's dragflick in the 50th minute.

In the dying seconds of the match, Rushmere then scored the crucial second goal as Britain bagged its second title in as many years.

India dominated the proceedings in the first two quarters and created a flurry of chances as Maninder Singh, Sudeep, Dilpreet Singh and Gursahibjit Singh went close to scoring the opener. Britain's goalkeepers James Mazarelo and Oliver Payne were up to the task as they made several smart saves to keep the deadlock intact at half-time.

The third quarter was more or less the same as India forced the play while Britain defended deep to play on the counter. India won its fifth and sixth penalty corners of the match, but was unable to find a way past Mazarelo.

In the 49th minute, India won its seventh penalty corner and broke the deadlock as Gursahibjit deflected Maninder's variation into the net. However, Great Britain struck back from its first penalty corner of the game through Stuart Rushmere. The game looked headed towards a shootout but Stuart Rushmere slotted home a clearance from goalkeeper Sanjay in the final minute to give Great Britain the title.

In 2018, India lost 4-3 to Britain in the penalty shootout after the teams were tied 2-2 after regulation time.

Sportstar

Stats Speak:  India is all time top team of Sultan of Johor Cup in spite losing title

By B.G.Joshi (Sehore-Bhopal, India)

20 seconds before the hooter Indian concede the goal and lost the title. India dominated the final obtained 12 goal shots includes 7 penalty corners. British Oliver Payne-Goalkeeper of the tournament  did not allow the Indians to score. Indian captain Mandeep Mor is unlucky this time again, last year (2018) India lost in final too against brits under Mandeep. However India is all time top team of Sultan of Johor Cup since its inception in 2011.  Medalist Summary is given below:

Medalist Summary

 Fieldhockey.com

Junior hockey coach Nor Saiful a stickler for toughening up players

By AFTAR SINGH



KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior hockey team need to toughen up as they are not physically up to the mark.

This was the conclusion made by coach Nor Saiful Zaini (pic) after the boys wrapped up their campaign in the six-nation Sultan of Johor Cup after defeating Japan 3-2 in the third-place playoff match at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium yesterday.

In the five previous matches, they lost to India (4-2) in the opening match, drew with Australia (1-1) and suffered a 6-0 defeat to New Zealand before bouncing back to edge defending champions Britain (1-0) and Japan (3-2).

In last year’s edition, Malaysia finished fifth.

Nor Saiful admitted that the team were ill-prepared and lacked exposure.

“We could not train as a team due to domestic tournaments and some players were attached to the national team, ” said Nor Saiful.

“My players were also physically not up to the mark in the tournament.”

The national juniors did not play in any tour and the team did not have the services of three key players – midfielder Mohd Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal and forwards Mohd Noor Firdaus Rosdi and Mohd Shamir Rizmi Mohd Shamsul.

Azrai and Firdaus left for Amsterdam with the national team preparing for the Olympic playoff matches against Britain in London on Nov 2 and 3 while Shamir took a break to concentrate on his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations.

“The good news is that despite the situation, our boys did give their opponents from Britain, Australia and Japan a good fight, ” he said.

Nor Saiful hopes to iron out the fitness issue and lack of exposure before the team get ready for next year’s Junior Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from June 4-14, which is the qualifying tournament for the 2021 Junior World Cup (dates and venue have yet to be decided).

A total of 10 teams will feature in the Junior Asia Cup and Malaysia need to finish in the top four to make the cut for the world event.

Malaysia will face strong challenges from India, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan and China at the Asian level.

“I’ve some talented players in the team, one of them is our defender Mohd Amirul Hamizan Azhar, who scored two goals at the Sultan of Johor Cup, ” he said.

“I hope we can train as a team next year and play in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) too as this will provide a good exposure for the boys as they will be playing against the club sides, powered by foreign players.

“We also want to go for playing tours and play as many matches as possible to prepare for the Junior Asia Cup, ” he added.

The Star of Malaysia

Pakistan squad departs for Germany ahead of Olympic qualifiers

Mohammad Yaqoob



LAHORE: Pakistan’s hockey team departed for Germany late on Saturday night. The national side is set to take on the Germans in two matches on October 22 and 23 before they head to the Netherlands to play the Dutch in a two-legged qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The qualifiers will take place in Amstelveen, a suburban part of Amsterdam city, on October 26 and 27.

The national team prepared for the matches in a six-week training camp in Lahore before a finalised 19-member was announced earlier. “In six weeks duration of the national training camp, our main focus was on to bring improvement in fitness and mental levels and we have achieved the targets to a satisfactory level,” Pakistan head coach Khawaja Junaid told Dawn.

Junaid said his team, ranked 17th in the world will have nothing to lose against the world No.3 Netherlands and therefore Pakistan will have a ‘fearless’ approach.
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“Holland will be under more pressure than us since they are playing at home and are a way better side. They will be looking to avoid any upsets,” Junaid said.

Junaid hoped Pakistan, despite being the minnows, will exhibit their best technical skills on the day when it’s needed the most and an upset can be on the cards.

Pakistan have not featured in an international match since the 2018 World Cup. However, Junaid said the matches against Germany will provide Pakistan the chance to get match practice ahead of the Olympic qualifier.

“Our top priority is to perform because without giving cent per cent you can’t even expect miracles,” he said. “The boys have to have good control over their nerves.”

Captain Rizwan Sr. and Rashid Mahmood have already left for Germany while Irfan Sr. will fly from England to join the team later. Hammad Anjum and goalkeeper Waqar are expected to receive their passports on Monday. Abu Bakar Mehmood’s participation is not confirmed yet as he is waiting for MRI test reports after an injury.

Squad: Waqar, Amjad Ali (goalkeepers), Mubashar Ali, Rizwan Ali, Ammad Butt (vice-captain), Abu Bakar Mahmood, Moin Shakeel, Tassawar Abbas, Azfar Yaqoob, Rashid Mehmood, Ali Shan, Ajaz Ahmad, Umer Bhutta, Mohammad Rizwan Sr. (captain), Rana Sohail, Rana Waheed, Ghazanfar Ali, Hammad Anjum, Irfan Sr.

Team management: Khawaja Junaid (manager/head coach), Wasim Ahmed, Zaheer Ahmad Babar, Ajmal Khan Lodhi, Sameer Hussain (coaches), Asad Abbas Shah (doctor), Jesse Wilson Workman (trainer), Nadeem Lodhi (video analyst).

Dawn

Pakistan hockey team leaves for Germany

From Germany the team will proceed to Holland to play two Olympic qualifiers to be played on October 26 and 27

LAHORE - Pakistan hockey team left here on Saturday night for Germany to play two test prior to its participation in them Olympic Qualifers being played in Holland.

Pak team will warm up for their challenging assignment of Olympic Qualifers by playing Germany in two back to back matches on October 22 and 23, said a spokesman of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) here.

He said from Germany the team will proceed to Holland to play two Olympic qualifiers to be played on October 26 and 27. “The winner of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers will qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020,” he said.

The winners will be determined as follows: teams will be ranked according to the number of points each has accumulated in both matches (for each match, 3 points are awarded to the winner, 1 point to each team in the event of a draw and 0 point to the loser), he said.

“If there is equality among the two teams, then the teams will be ranked according to their respective goal difference. If the equality remains, a shoot-out competition will be played to establish the winner. Therefore, the objective of the Pakistan Men’s Hockey Teams will be to secure direct qualification for the Tokyo 2020 hockey tournaments - which will be staged in Japan’s capital city from 25 July to 7 August next year and involve 12 Men’s and 12 Women’s teams,” he asserted.

“During the two matches against Germany, I will use all players in order to find the best combination for the qualifiers,” says head Coach of the Pak team former Pakistan captain and Olympian, Khawaja Junaid.

Rizwan Senior will lead the 16-member side whose other member are Waqar, Ahmad Ali (goalkeepers), Mubashar Ali, Rizwan Ali, Ahmad Butt (vice captain), Abu Bakar Mahmood. Moin Shakeel, Tasawar Abbas, Azfar Yaqoob, Rashid Mehmood, Ali Shan, Ajaz Ahmad, Umer Bhutta, Muhammad Rizwan Sr (captain), Rana Sohail, Rana Waheed. Ghazanfar Ali, Hammad Anjum and Irfan Sr.

The team officials are Manager/Head Coach: Olympian Khawaja Junaid; Coaches: Wasim Ahmed, Zaheer Ahmad Babar, Ajmal Khan Lodhi & Sameer Hussain; Video Analyst: Nadeem Lodhi; Doctor: Asad Abbas Shah; Trainer: Jesse Wilson.

The Nation

ROUND-UP: Investec Women's Hockey League


Iona Campbell and Lucy Hyams in action during Loughborough Students v Hampstead. Credit Andrew Smith

Goals from Sophie Bray and Ellie Rayer helped East Grinstead secure their first win of the season on Saturday, beating visitors the University of Birmingham 2-1 in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division.

After a goalless first half Catherine Ledesma put the visitors ahead with a field goal on 36 minutes, but their lead lasted just two minutes before Bray levelled from open play.

And nine minutes later Rayer scored another field goal which proved enough for East Grinstead to take the win and climb off the bottom of the table.

At the other end of the table Surbiton stay top following a 4-3 win at Holcombe.

The hosts struck first through Lorna Cruickshank on nine minutes, but goals from Robyn Collins and Erica Sanders put Surbiton ahead.

Steph Elliott’s 19th minute penalty stroke levelled it again, but Georgie Twigg retook the lead for the visitors ten minutes later with another penalty stroke.

Eloise Stenner gave Surbiton a two-goal cushion with a goal on 43 minutes, and although Philippa Lewis pulled one back for Holcombe on 59 minutes it wasn’t enough for the win.

Elsewhere, Clifton Robinsons secured their second win of the campaign with a 3-2 victory at Bowdon Hightown.

Catherine Macaulay bagged herself a brace and Claire Thomas scored the other for the away side to clinch the points in the 69th minute. Sian French and Xenna Hughes were the goalscorers for Bowdon.

Beeston also added their second victory of the season to their record after winning 2-1 at home against Buckingham.

Sian Emslie gave the home side the lead in the 30th minute from open play.

Rebecca Malyon doubled their advantage 13 minutes later with another goal from free play.

Kitty Higgins scored late on for Buckingham but it was in vain as Beeston held out to secure the points.

Hampstead & Westminster ran out 1-0 victors at Loughborough Students, Joyce Esser scoring the only goal of the game mid-way through the second half.

Investec Women’s Division One North

Swansea remain top of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Division One North after beating Stourport 4-2 on Saturday.

Livvy Hoskins bagged herself a first half brace and Betsan Thomas and Nell Butler scored one a piece to secure the points.

Sarah Parkinson-Mills and Sarah Cavendish were both on the scoresheet for the away side.

Olton and West Warwicks maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign after winning 1-0 at home against Brooklands-Poynton.

Sally Walton scored the winning goal from a penalty corner in the 12th minute.

Elsewhere, Leicester City maintained their position in second after beating the University of Durham 3-2 at home.

Gloucester City won 2-0 at home against winless Belper and Ben Rhydding beat Leeds 2-1 at home.

Investec Women’s Division One South

Cambridge City moved up to third in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Division One South with a 6-1 victory over bottom of the table St Albans on Saturday.

Megan Crowson netted a hat-trick, Maddie Axford bagged herself a brace and Heidi Baber scored the other as the home side secured all three points.

Natasha Humphris scored a consolation for the away mid-way through the second half.

Wimbledon maintained their position at the top of the table after an excellent display away from home, winning 2-0 at Harleston Magpies with Fiona Semple and Suzy Petty scoring the goals.

Elsewhere, Reading won 1-0 at home against Canterbury, Slough secured three points against Sevenoaks winning 5-3 and Trojans won 1-0 at home against Isca.

Investec Women’s Conference North

Sutton Coldfield maintained their position at the top of the Investec Conference North table after winning 5-1 at Alderley Edge.

Vicky Woolford and Emma McCabe both scored twice and Jess Webb added the other as the away side secured all three points. Zoe Thomas scored the only goal for Alderley Edge.

Elsewhere the University of Nottingham maintained their 100% record after winning 5-1 at home to Wakefield.

Alexandra Malzer, Robyn Bentley, Jordan Homann (2) and Charlotte Calnan were all on the scoresheet for Nottingham.

Colleen Kelly scored the only goal for Wakefield.

Investec Women’s Conference East

Wimbledon’s second team remain top of the table after taking four wins from four in the Investec Conference East on Saturday, winning 2-0 at home against Ipswich.

Natalie Wray gave the home side the lead in the 11th minute from a penalty corner before Lauren Burgess secured the points four minutes from time with a goal from open play.

Elsewhere, Bedford won 6-0 away at Broxbourne to secure their second victory of the campaign.

Investec Women’s Conference West

Surbiton’s second team remain unbeaten in the Investec Conference West after winning 7-0 at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Issy Carey (2), Alice Klugman, Hannah Denison (2), Maud Blokland and Lily Johnson were names on the scoresheet for the away side.

Elsewhere, Team Bath Buccaneers ran out 6-0 victors at the University of Bristol.

Jade Vardon-Cardy, Jessica Amps, Lara Williamson, Sally Fenton, Di Bevan and Cari Davies were the goal scorers there.

England Hockey Board Media release

BC Extends Winning Streak to Five Against No. 15 Syracuse

Bradley Smart


Image by Leo Wang / For The Heights

At this point, you might as well give Boston College field hockey forward Margo Carlin the ACC Rookie of the Year award.

On Friday night, with the No. 13 Eagles tied with No. 15 Syracuse in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Carlin—who had the team’s lone goal of the night—found herself in the perfect spot to score after teammate Brigid Wood delivered her a pass in front of net. Carlin made no mistake, making a slick move before tucking home the eventual game-winner with 3:55 on the clock as BC escaped with a 2-1 win, its fifth in a row.

Carlin’s two-goal effort was enough to hand the Orange (8-5, 1-3) its third straight loss. The Eagles (9-5, 3-1), meanwhile, continue to soar since starting the year just 4-5. During its five-game winning streak, BC has outscored its opponents, 13-1, and beaten three ranked foes. Carlin has played a big role in that, as she’s now tallied nine goals during that span to raise her season total to 17—a mark that’s only three behind the reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Year in North Carolina’s Erin Matson and eighth in BC single-season program history.

Syracuse had taken the last five meetings with BC and held a decisive 24-10 edge in the all-time series, but it was clear from the beginning that this was going to be a back-and-forth affair. The first half was defined by strong defense and minimal chances, with the Eagles managing the lone shot on goal. BC also suffered some bad luck, though, as both Jaime Natale and Sky Caron had shots hit the post in the span of 30 seconds.

Six minutes into the third quarter, Carlin—who saw a shot that she hit out of midair go wide in the first half—broke through for the Eagles. Natale set her up beautifully, dribbling in on goal and withstanding a challenge from Syracuse’s Claire Webb to send the pass ahead to Carlin. Orange goaltender Sarah Sinck had come out to cut off the shot, but Natale’s pass got through and Carlin one-timed it for an easy finish.

The Eagles were unable to close out the third quarter smoothly, however, as Syracuse’s Claire Cooke scored with just 16 seconds on the clock. The late goal drew an immediate comparison to BC’s last loss back on Sept. 26 against No. 11 Saint Joseph’s. In that matchup, a 5-4 loss, the Eagles gave up goals in the final minute of three separate quarters.

But that kind of breakdown wouldn’t haunt BC this time around. In a fourth quarter that seemed like it could’ve gone either way, Syracuse had a costly green card called on Caroline Hoffman with just under five-and-a-half minutes left in the game. The Eagles didn’t waste the man advantage, as a little over a minute later, they broke through. Wood, who dribbled the ball out of the defense, sent a pass ahead to Carlin, who found herself in front of Sinck. Carlin settled it, beat Sinck with a move to the goalie’s left, and buried it in the back of the cage.

It was a clutch finish and another green card on Syracuse’s SJ Quigley in the final minutes killed any chance at an equalizer for the visitors. While its scoreless streak of 297-plus minutes came to an end, BC played almost impeccable defense and was able to lock down the Orange’s biggest scoring threat in freshman Charlotte de Vries, who entered with 13 goals. Devries managed two shots the whole game but neither found their way on frame in the loss.

At this point, the Eagles have completely rewritten the story of their season as head coach Kelly Doton is now poised for her first season with an above-.500 mark in conference play. The start of the year was defined by ups and downs, as they strung together a three-game winning streak but also lost two and three in a row. Now, winners of five straight—against a group of quality opponents nonetheless—BC enters a non-conference game against New Hampshire with an abundance of confidence. Should it win that, the Eagles will take 10 wins into huge matchups with No. 1 North Carolina and No. 4 Duke. Those games will have both big ACC standings and NCAA tournament implications, which says wonders about how quick the team has turned things around.

The Heights