BALTIMORE, M.D. (SYRACUSE ATHLETICS) –
The No. 2 Syracuse women’s lacrosse team is off to its best start in program history after a 9-7 come-from-behind victory at No. 9 Loyola on Wednesday. The Orange improve to 8-0, marking the first time Syracuse has opened the season with eight consecutive victories.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orange led at halftime, 6-3, but Loyola (5-2) came back in the third quarter to take a 7-6 lead heading into the final 15 minutes. Chase Boyle’s goal with 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter marked the first time Syracuse has trailed in a game since the second quarter of the season opener against Northwestern.
Sierra Cockerille started the Orange rally when she scored an unassisted goal with 12:33 on the clock to even the score at 7-7. Meaghan Tyrrell gave Syracuse the lead for good at the 7:03 mark with an unassisted goal, and Megan Carney scored an insurance tally on an assist from Emma Ward to increase the lead to 9-7 with 4:42 remaining.
The Orange defense caused two turnovers in the final four minutes as it held its opponent to less than 10 goals for the fifth straight game. Delaney Sweitzer made eight saves, lowering her season goals-against average to 7.26. Bianca Chevarie and Coco Vandiver recorded three caused turnovers each.
Six different players scored goals in the first half as Syracuse led by three at intermission. The Orange recorded goals in the final 10 seconds of both the first and second quarters.
OF NOTE
Syracuse is 8-0, bettering the mark of the 2017 squad that started the year with seven straight wins. The Orange also improved their record to 3-0 against teams ranked in the top 10.
Syracuse outshot the Greyhounds, 24-18, and held a 15-8 advantage in ground balls. Loyola won 14-of-19 ground balls.
UP NEXT
The Orange return to ACC play when they take on No. 15 Duke in Durham, N.C. on Saturday, March 18 at 12 p.m.
