Syracuse University
#7 Georgetown
NCAA Tournament Bound: Orange Repeats as BIG EAST Tournament Champions
4/27/2008 4:20:36 PM | Women's Lacrosse
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Syracuse women's lacrosse team scored eight straight goals in the second half to defeat Georgetown, 12-6, in the final game of the BIG EAST Championship played in Notre Dame, Ind. The Orange wins its second-straight tournament title and earn the BIG EAST's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. Junior Katie Rowan earned the championship's Most Valuable Player award after setting a tournament record with 13 points in two games.
Rowan was one of five members of the Orange named to the All-Tournament team. She was joined by seniors Kristin Brady and Christina Gibson, sophomore Christina Dove and freshman goalkeeper Liz Hogan.
"We're in the NCAA Tournament," head coach Gary Gait said. "I'm happy that we gutted the game out and we played smart, even though things weren't bouncing our way in the first half. We didn't panic. The kids stayed confident. I thought our defense played outstanding today."
The Orange (16-2) got off to a slow start as Georgetown (11-6) took a 3-0 lead on a goal from Allie Hubschmann and a pair by Molly Ford. Brady put Syracuse on the scoreboard with an unassisted goal at the 12:26 mark, before Dove found the back of the net with 2:26 remaining to cut Georgetown's lead to 3-2 at halftime.
The Hoyas' Abby Kaestner extended Georgetown's lead to 4-2 with a goal 1:24 into the second half . SU's Awehiyo Thomas responded with a goal on free position shot 39 seconds later that sparked the Syracuse offense as it scored eight-straight goals. Rowan tied the score off an assist from Dove and then gave the Orange its first lead of the day on a free position goal with 19:28 on the clock. Rowan had three goals, while Thomas had two goals and an assist in the scoring outburst. Halley Quillinan, Jackie DePetris and Megan Mosenson also found the back of the net during the run as Syracuse took a 10-4 lead with 4:40 remaining. Georgetown scored a pair of goals before Brady and Thomas each scored empty net goals in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.
Rowan had three goals, giving her 171 in her career which tie her for first place on Syracuse's career goals scored list. She shares the top spot with Leigh-Ann Zimmer, who scored 171 goals from 2001-04. Thomas also had a hat trick, while Brady had a pair of goals. Dove had a goal and tied her career high with three assists. Ford led Georgetown with two goals and two assists.
Syracuse netminder Hogan recorded 10 saves, including six in the second half. The Orange forced 16 Georgetown turnovers and picked up 18 ground balls to 10 for the Hoyas. Both teams recorded 28 shots on goal. The Orange converted 3-of-4 free position attempts, while Georgetown was 0-6. The Hoyas won 12-of-20 draw controls.
The Orange, which extended its winning streak to nine, is now 4-0 in BIG EAST Championship play after winning the inaugural tournament title last season.
Syracuse advances to the NCAA Championship for the second-straight year and the seventh time overall. The Orange will find out its tournament assignment on Monday, May 5 when the NCAA announces the 2008 bracket.
