Finally Home, Syracuse Routs UConn
from press release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – In its first home game
since February, the 13th-ranked Syracuse women’s lacrosse
team scored nine unanswered goals to start the second half on its
way to a 17-9 victory against Connecticut on Friday, April 8 in the
Carrier Dome. With the win, the Orange improves to 2-0 in BIG EAST
play, while the Huskies are now 0-3 in conference action.
Sophomore Michelle Tumolo (Mullica Hill, N.J.) led a balanced
scoring attack for Syracuse (4-6) as eight different players
recorded goals. Tumolo finished with a game-high six points on
three goals and three assists. Junior Sarah Holden (Syracuse, N.Y.)
and freshman Katie Webster (Syracuse, N.Y.) had hat tricks with
three goals apiece, while senior Catherine Rodriguez (Bellevue,
Wash.), sophomore Marley Ciferri (Ithaca, N.Y.) and freshman Alyssa
Murray (West Babylon, N.Y.) each scored twice.
The Orange took control of the game in the second half. Holden took
a pass from Tumolo as she was cutting in front of the crease and
put her shot by Connecticut (6-5) goalkeeper Brittney Testa at the
28:18 mark to break a 6-6 tie and give SU the lead for good.
Holden’s goal sparked Syracuse on a 9-0 scoring run that gave
the Orange a 15-6 lead with 5:39 remaining. Rodriguez had two goals
during the run as did Webster. Tumolo accounted for two goals and
dished out one assist in the offensive outburst, which was capped
by Holden’s third goal on an assist from junior Lauren Welch
(Camillus, N.Y.) at the 6:03 mark.
The Orange defense held Connecticut scoreless for the final 3:22 of
the first half and for the first 24:21 of the second half before
Jordan Christopher found the back of the net with 5:39 remaining.
Sophomore Taylor Nims (Watertown, N.Y.) and Ciferri each posted
unassisted goals to give Syracuse its largest lead of the game at
17-7 with 2:48 left in the game. The Huskies scored twice in the
final minute for the 17-9 final.
“The defense played great and they really settled down in the
second half,” said Syracuse head coach Gary Gait. “A
lot of that has to go to our attack and our midfielders for riding
so hard and causing turnovers in the second half and making it very
difficult for Connecticut to get the ball on its offensive end.
When they did get it down there, the defense was poised and Liz
(Hogan) made some stops. It was a good all-around effort from our
team.”
The first half was closely contested as both teams recorded 12
shots on goal and went into the locker room tied, 6-6. Trailing
4-2, the Orange recorded four consecutive goals, including the
second career goal by sophomore defender Becca Block (Stratham,
N.H.), to take a 6-4 lead with 10:45 remaining, but Connecticut
netted the final two goals of the half to tie the score for the
fourth time in the game.
Syracuse outshot Connecticut 33-18, including 21-6 in the second
half. The Orange picked up 23 ground balls to 13 for the Huskies.
Connecticut held a slight advantage in draw controls, winning
15-of-28. Senior goalkeeper Liz Hogan (Victor, N.Y.) made nine
saves, while allowing six goals, and Testa had 11 saves for
Connecticut.
Tumolo tied her career high with three goals and posted single-game
highs with five ground balls and four caused turnovers. She helped
the Orange force 21 Husky turnovers and hold Connecticut to just
nine clears in 19 attempts.
Several Syracuse players recorded the first points of their careers
against the Huskies. Junior Jill Cammett (Norwell, Mass.) and Welch
recorded their first career assists, while Ciferri and Nims scored
their first career goals. In addition, freshman Kirkland Locey
(Baltimore, Md.) led the Orange with a career-high four draw
controls.
Syracuse goes for its third consecutive league victory on Sunday
when it hosts Notre Dame at 1 p.m. Admission is free of charge.
