Orange Tame The Greyhounds

By Catherine Brown

Holding off a late surge, the Syracuse Women’s Lacrosse team upset the Loyola University Greyhounds 10-9. With this victory, the Orange improved their record to 9-7 overall and 6-1 in the BIG EAST.

Loyola took an early lead 4-2 less than 12 minutes into the game; however, Syracuse rebounded quickly scoring three consecutive goals to seize a 5-4 lead on one of Alyssa Murray’s many goals.  Loyola managed to tie the game going into halftime, but Syracuse would regain control early in the second half on a Michelle Tumolo goal that started a 5-0 run for the Orange.

Syracuse had the lead 10-5 with 8:17 left to play, but the Greyhounds came storming back scoring four consecutive goals. The Hounds final goal came with 25 seconds left to knock the Orange’s lead to one, but Syracuse remained strong in the closing seconds to secure the victory.

Tumolo led all scorers with three goals and two assists, while Murray contributed her own two goals and two assists in the upset. 

Syracuse outshot Loyola 23-22 and Orange goalie Liz Hogan made six saves. Although Syracuse committed more turnovers, the Orange proved to be too much for the Hounds to handle.

This game was the Orange’s fifth consecutive victory over the Greyhounds and increased Syracuse’s lead in the all-time series to 6-3.  Chances are good that both teams will meet again as second and third seeds in next week’s Big East tournament, but official pairings will not be released until later this weekend.

This victory places Syracuse in a tie with Georgetown for first in the Big East.  The Orange will play for their share of the conference title in their final regular season game at Villanova this Sunday at noon.