It took eight games, but freshman midfielder Serra Degnan finally broke through and scored her first collegiate goal on Sunday.

Then she wasted little time before netting her second one.

Degnan scored two first-half goals in a span of just more than two minutes to propel No. 5 Syracuse (7-1) to a 4-0 victory over No. 6 Princeton University (4-2) at J.S. Coyne Stadium on Sunday. The Orange has now won 39-straight contests on its home field.

“You see the ball go in the net and all you want to do is hug someone,” Degnan said. “I couldn’t even believe it.”

Her offensive outburst gave the Orange a much-needed spark following a loss to No. 17 Boston College on Friday.

“Coming off the loss, we knew we had to tear it up today because we didn’t want to lose two games in a row,” Degnan said. “Princeton is definitely one of the most important games because they’re the defending national champions, and beating them is such a great experience.”

Syracuse dominated the Tigers on defense right from the start, allowing only two shots in the first half.

But the real damage was done offensively.

Nine minutes into the game, reigning ACC Player of the Week Leonie Geyer took a pass in the corner from Lindsey Nerbonne and threw the ball toward the net. It deflected off a Princeton defender and bounced past goaltender Anya Gersoff to give Syracuse an early 1-0 advantage.

“It was extremely important to get off to a quick start,” Geyer said. “We started off in the ACC rough, so we wanted to come back strong.”

A little more than nine minutes later, Degnan stole the show.

Jordan Page ripped a shot from the top of the shooting circle that ricocheted right in front of Degnan near the left post.

“The first one, I pulled back out to create space because coach Ange Bradley always yells at me for that,” Degnan said. “Then I came back in for the shot and was able to tip it in.”

Her second goal came on a set penalty corner play that she had trouble with in practice Sunday morning. However, Degnan said an adjustment to her stick handling ended up paying dividends.

Page took the corner pass and deflected the ball to Laura Hahnefeldt, who sent a bullet toward Degnan’s stick.

“When she called the corner, I was like ‘OK, I have to make this in, or I would feel really bad,’” Degnan said. “Thank God I got it in, and it was my moment.”

The same play worked again on another penalty corner later in the half. Alyssa Manley deflected a shot from Hahnefeldt for her fifth goal of the season, tied for second most on the team with Emma Russell.

Princeton tried to rally in the second half, but couldn’t find any offense. Hailey Reeves had a golden opportunity to break the shutout with eight minutes left, but her shot was tossed aside by sprawling SU goalie Jess Jecko.

Bradley called the loss to Boston College “a great opportunity” because the entire team learned what it took to win in the ACC.

She was especially proud of the way the freshmen used that opportunity as a learning experience prior to Sunday’s game.

Although today was only a start, Bradley is confident in her younger players and the team’s chances the rest of the season.

“I’m really, really pleased with the freshmen and how they came in with poise,” she said. “Lindsey Nerbonne getting her first start and playing in a central defender role, and Karlee Farr and Serra.

“For three freshmen to step in and play well against the No. 6 team in the country is really a great sign for our future.”

Published on September 22, 2013 at 11:57 pm

Contact Tyler: tfpiccot@syr.edu