Syracuse University
Rutgers
Kasel Makes 23 Saves as Orangewomen Defeat Rutgers, 15-5
4/3/2004 5:29:18 PM | Women's Lacrosse
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.
-- Sophomore Jennifer Kasel made a career-high 23 saves and gave up a season-low five goals in No. 10 Syrcuse’s, 15-5, triumph versus Rutgers on Saturday, April 3 at Yurcak Field.Kasel faced 36 total shots against Rutgers and the 23 saves surpassed her previous personal best of 13, which she set against Georgetown on March 13. The performance ranked second on SU’s single-game saves list, two short of Clothilde Ewing’s school-record 25 stops against Connecticut in 1999.
The SU defense held the Scarlet Knights scoreless for a span 26:16 during and contest and outscored them 11-0 in that stretch to take control of the game. Syracuse trailed Rutgers, 2-1, at 9:54 when senior Leigh-Ann Zimmer found the back of the cage on a pass from sophomore Melody Agnew to tie the game, 2-2, at 12:07. The goal ignited the Syracuse offense, which scored the game’s next 10 goals to give the Orange a 12-2 advantage at 36:49. Zimmer scored two of her game-high four goals in the run and sophomore Meghan O'Connell tied her career high with three goals in the scoring outburst. Rutgers (4-5, 0-3) halted the SU scoring streak on a goal by Cristina Curiale with 21:37 left to play. The Orangewomen (6-2, 2-1) recorded the game’s next three tallies to make the score 15-3 at 50:16. Rutgers’ Emily Widrick tacked on two late goals to provide the final margin.
In addition to her four goals, Zimmer added three assists on the day, tying her career-best with seven points against the Scarlet Knights. Zimmer also recorded seven points in the Orangewomen’s season-opening win at Virginia. O’Connell finished with three goals on four shots, while junior Monica Joines contributed four points (three goals, one assist) and senior Danielle Lillis added two goals and one assist for the Orangewomen.
Widrick and Cali Wojdyla each finished with two points for the Scarlet Knights.
With her helper, Joines tied Erin Boyle for ninth on SU’s career assists list with 14. Lillis also moved up a spot on that ledger, tying Lauren Brady for 11th with 13 career assists. Lillis’ two goals moved her within one tally of tying Kim Wayne for seventh on the career goals scored list (58).
The Rutgers contest marked the 100th game in the history of SU’s women’s lacrosse program. The Orangewomen have posted a 69-31 record (.690 winning pct.) during their six-plus years in existence. The victory also extended SU’s season winning streak to five games.
Syracuse returns home for two games Easter weekend. The Orangewomen will host BIG EAST foe Virginia Tech on Friday, April 9 at 2:00 p.m., and Ivy League opponent Dartmouth on Sunday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m.
