Syracuse University
Virginia
Syracuse Upended by UVA, 14-11
2/27/2009 6:07:56 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Box Score | Gary Gait Quotes | Player Quotes | Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Senior Katie Rowan and junior Christina Dove each recorded hat tricks to lead third-ranked Syracuse in its 14-11 loss to No. 4 Virginia on Friday, February 27 in the Carrier Dome. The game was played in front of 1,297 fans, the second-largest crowd to see the Orange play at the Dome in the history of the program.
“I definitely think that we have a ways to go to improve,” said head coach Gary Gait. “We need to develop team chemistry and confidence in each other and really improve as a team. I thought Virginia played great. They have a very experienced, very athletic team.”
A back-and-forth first half featured five ties and five lead changes. With Virginia (3-0) leading, 1-0, senior Megan Mosenson and junior Halley Quillinan each scored unassisted goals to give Syracuse (3-1) a 2-1 advantage with 25:17 remaining. Virginia responded with three straight goals from Jenny Hauser to retake the lead, 4-3. Quillinan tied the score when she took a long clearing pass from goalkeeper Liz Hogan and found the back of the net for her second goal of the game. Quillinan's goal sparked Syracuse on a 3-0 scoring run that included goals by Rowan and Dove that gave the Orange a 5-4 lead with 13:10 left in the half. Virginia again answered with a pair of goals before Rowan scored the final tally of the half to tie the score, 6-6, at halftime.
The Cavaliers opened the second half with a long possession that ended in a goal by Blair Weymouth at the 25:30 mark, which gave Virginia the lead for good. Weymouth's goal was the first of four straight for the Cavaliers as they took a 10-6 lead with 17:17 remaining. Syracuse halted the scoring run with goals from Rowan and Dove to pull the Orange within two, 10-8, at the midway point of the second half. After the teams traded goals, Virginia scored three straight times to take a commanding 14-9 lead with 2:46 remaining. Dove and senior Awehiyo Thomas scored the final two goals of the game for the 14-11 final.
Rowan and Dove each recorded four points to lead the Orange, while Quillinan finished with two goals. Virginia's Ashley McCulloch led all scorers with seven points (2g, 5a), while Hauser finished with six points on four goals and two assists.
Hogan recorded 13 saves, marking the ninth time in her career she has reached double figures in saves. Lauren Benner made nine saves in goal for the Cavaliers.
Virginia outshot Syracuse, 33-25, and held an 18-9 advantage in draw controls. Syracuse picked up 11 ground balls to eight for the Cavaliers.
The Orange returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts No. 10 Boston University at 4 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.
