W&M Field Hockey Defeats Syracuse, 3-2, in Overtime

Kelly Giles Scores Game-Winning Goal with 31 Seconds Left in First Overtime

09/11/05 5:12PM

SYRACUSE, NY - William and Mary senior forward Kelly Giles (Williamsburg, VA) deflected in a shot by junior defender Jamie Fitzgerald (Jenkintown, PA) with just 31 seconds remaining in the first overtime, leading the Tribe field hockey team to a 3-2 win over Syracuse this afternoon at Coyne Field.

The victory improves W&M’s record to 3-2, while Syracuse falls to 2-3.

Neither team scored in the first half, but the Orange soon took a 1-0 lead in the second, when Paige Sullivan scored in the 38th minute. Senior midfielder Shannon Karl (Centreville, VA) tied the game less than 10 minutes later on a penalty corner, putting back a rebound off of Syracuse goalkeeper Heather Hess. The Tribe took the lead just over five minutes after that, as freshman midfielder Holly Niro (Warrington, PA) scored her first career goal, following a pass by Karl. W&M appeared to be headed for the victory in regulation, but Syracuse tied the game with just 29 seconds on the clock, as Jessica Lerew put in a pass from Sullivan.

The two teams were scoreless through most of the first 15-minute, seven-on-seven overtime period and were about to go into a second, when Giles scored the game-winner. The play began when Fitzgerald intercepted a Syracuse pass and took the ball all the way to the circle, splitting two defenders and firing a shot that Giles tipped up over the Orange’s goalkeeper for the victory.

W&M outshot Syracuse, 16-13, in the game and held a 13-8 advantage in penalty corners. The Tribe’s sophomore goalkeeper Gwen Hunter (Seaville, NJ) made seven saves, while Hess stopped nine shots for Syracuse.

The Tribe will return to action next weekend, as the Green and Gold hosts Yale at 7:00 PM on Friday, September 16.

Box Score


Game Notes: William and Mary improves to 2-0 all-time against Syracuse ... The Tribe had lost its last five overtime games ... W&M’s last OT win was a 4-3 victory at home against No. 14 Virginia on Oct. 1, 2003 ... Shannon Karl picked up her 14th career assist in the game, tying her with Basia Deren (1979-82) for 10th place in W&M history ... Ten different players have scored goals for W&M through the first five games of the year ... Kelly Giles is tied with Gina Cimarelli for the team with seven points (3g, 1a) this season ... With eight career game-winning goals, she is tied with Joanie Quinn (1987-90) for fifth in W&M history.