Donahue's Last-Second Goal Lifts Orange Past Great Danes

Monday, February 27

5 pm

Syracuse University

5-0

Albany

2-2

ALBANY

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

Donahue's Last-Second Goal Lifts Orange Past Great Danes

2/27/2017 8:48:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior Riley Donahue scored a free-position goal with 9.1 seconds remaining to give No. 5/4 Syracuse team a come-from-behind 13-12 victory against Albany on Monday, Feb. 27. The Orange remain unbeaten this season, improving to 5-0.

"It's a quick turnaround with one day to prepare and rest knowing Albany is coming here to give you a dog fight, and they did," said Syracuse head coach Gary Gait. "They played very well today – very aggressive, very physical. They forced us to get out of our game a little bit and I thought their offense was executed very well. They were well prepared. Our players hung in there, down late in the game, showed a lot of character for a young team. To have our top attackers make plays when we needed them showed great leadership. They aren't going to let games go away without fighting back and giving ourselves a chance to win it."

Sophomore Nicole Levy was one of those experienced attackers who made plays down the stretch for the Orange. She scored a career-high six goals, including a free-position goal with 1:51 remaining, which tied the score at 12-12. For the game, nine of Syracuse's 13 goals were scored via the free position.

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
Syracuse led by as many three in the first half, and junior Neena Merola's unassisted goal with 2:44 remaining gave the Orange a 7-4 halftime lead.

Albany (2-2) outscored Syracuse, 5-2, in the first 13:36 of the second half to tie the score at 9-9. The teams traded goals before Dakotah Savitcheff caused a turnover on a Syracuse clear, picked up the ground ball and got a shot past a retreating Asa Goldstock (Niskayuna, N.Y.) to give Albany its first lead at 12-11 with 4:06 on the clock. It also marked the first time the Orange has trailed in a game this season.

Levy tied the score for the fifth time with an unassisted goal with 1:51 on the clock. Goldstock made a save on Sarah Martin's shot with 41 seconds remaining to keep the game tied and give the Orange possession. But Syracuse turned it over to give the Great Danes one last chance to take the lead, but Albany couldn't take advantage, turning the ball over to give the Orange the last possession of the game.

A yellow card put Syracuse a man-up and a foul gave Donahue the free-position attempt. She buried her shot in the back of the net for the game winner with 9.1 seconds on the clock. Freshman Morgan Widner (Coppell, Texas) won the ensuing draw to ensure the victory.

OF NOTE
Levy scored her six goals on six shots and she is now tied for the team lead in that category with 12. Freshman Emily Hawryschuk (Victor, N.Y.) also scored her 12th goal of the year in the game.

The 12 goals are the most Syracuse has allowed this season and marks the first time the Orange have allowed more than 10 goals in a game this season.

UP NEXT…
Syracuse's stretch of eight days continues when it goes on the road for the first time this season on Friday, Mar. 3 to face No. 12/11 Northwestern at Hofstra University at 6 p.m.