The Bison field hockey team faced Patriot League opponent American University on Oct. 1 and Syracuse University on Oct. 2. The Bison received a disheartening loss in overtime against the American Eagles, falling 1-2 before getting back onto the field the next day to fall to Syracuse 3-4. The Orange and Blue are now 4-6 overall.

The American game started with a 0-0 deadlocked first half, which was interrupted by lightning, delaying the game 45 minutes. Once play got back under way, Marisa Morakis ’20 broke the scoreless streak in the 53rd minute, putting one in the back of the net off of a rebound by Anna Wills ’17. The Bison led the game until the 70th minute when the Eagles were able to get themselves onto the board while the Bison were short-handed due to a yellow card. Unfortunately, the Orange and the Blue were unable to capitalize on any more shot opportunities, finishing regulation play with the score tied 1-1. The team continued to be short-handed for the first three minutes of overtime play. American was able to score during overtime to bring the score up to 2-1 to win the game. Goalie Emily Finn ’18 had an impressive showing with seven saves throughout the game.

The team was back in action the next day against the fourth-ranked and current defending national champions Syracuse. The Bison were off to a strong start when forward Nicole Rupnik ’19 scored a goal off an assist from defender Stephanie Dressler ’18 in the fourth minute. Syracuse matched them in the 34th minute, which was quickly countered by Rupnik’s second goal of the game, putting the Bison up 2-1 at the end of the first half. Unfortunately, the Orange were able to come back strong in the second half, scoring three goals to the Bison’s one. The sole goal for the Orange and the Blue was scored in the 69th minute by Dressler and assisted by Estelle Palandjian ’17 and Amy Mucelli ’17. The Bison were ultimately unable to match Syracuse, ending the game at 4-3. Finn once again had a strong game, this time garnering 11 saves throughout the 70 minutes.

“The game against American was a really tough loss, but we were able to learn from it and move on,” Dressler said. “I think our performance against Syracuse said a lot about who we are, not only as athletes. We were able to recover from a very emotionally and physically taxing loss on Saturday then come out Sunday and hang with a nationally ranked team. I am extremely proud of everyone on the team for bringing such high energy and determination to the game on Sunday. After the American game, we had something to prove,” Dressler said.

The Bison will be back in action on Oct. 8 against Boston University.

“Boston is always a very heated game so I am definitely looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity of playing such a high level opponent. Last year we took them into double overtime in the Patriot League tournament and I expect nothing short of exciting this time around,” Dressler said.