Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/30/18
From Press Release
Freshman and 2017 Phillylacropsse.com Player of the Year Sam Swart (Archbishop Carroll) caused a turnover with 31 seconds remaining and the Orange ran out the clock as No. 11/12 Syracuse defeated No. 19 Princeton, 17-16, in women’s lacrosse action on Thursday, March 29. The victory snaps the Orange’s two-game losing streak and improves their record to 7-4.
“It was nice to get in a win against a ranked opponent in our third game in six days and fifth straight road game,” head coach Gary Gait said. “We were better on the draw tonight, made some good stops and shot better on the offensive end.”
Syracuse led 9-5 at halftime, but Princeton scored four straight goals to start the second half to even the score with 21:16 on the clock. Neither team could pull away as the game was tied three more times over the next 10-plus minutes.
Back-to-back goals by redshirt sophomore Cara Quimby and sophomore Vanessa Costantino gave the Orange a 15-13 advantage with 8:34 on the clock. Tess D’Orsi answered for Princeton (4-4) with her fifth goal of the day to bring the Tigers within one, but Swart (3G, 1A, 1DC, 1CT) and fellow freshman Molly Carter each found the back of the net to extend Syracuse’s lead to 17-15 with 3:44 on the clock.
After Kyla Sears again cut the Orange’s lead to one at 17-16, Syracuse won the draw and had the opportunity to run out the clock, but a turnover gave Princeton the last possession of the game. However the Tigers’ didn’t give off a shot as Swart caused the turnover and the Orange recorded the one-goal victory.
Syracuse scored 50 seconds into the game to take an early lead when senior Neena Merola found the back of the net off an assist from Costantino. Redshirt senior Taylor Gait and Swart followed with goals to put the Orange up 3-0.
After Princeton cut the lead to one, a goal by Quimby on an assist from Swart sparked the Orange on a 4-0 scoring run that gave SU its largest lead of the half at 8-3. The Tigers halted the Orange’s offensive outburst with two straight goals, but sophomore Bella Recchion scored her second goal of the night at the 2:19 mark to give Syracuse a 9-5 halftime lead.
