Orange Spotlight: March 23, 2009
3/23/2009 12:17:53 PM | Softball, Tennis, Track and Field
Despite its marathon game against UConn in the BIG EAST Tournament, the men's basketball team has not shown any signs of weariness as the Orange advanced to the Sweet 16 after thrashing Stephen F. Austin (59-44) and Arizona State (78-68) in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse will face second-seeded Oklahoma on Friday, March 27 in Memphis at 7:30 p.m. It's the 14th time in 26 trips to the NCAA Tournament under head coach Jim Boeheim that the Orange has advanced to the regional semifinals. The women's basketball team made history last week after earning its first postseason victory in program history. The Orange routed Canisius, 90-65, in the opening round of the Women's NIT at the Carrier Dome on March 18. Syracuse took on Bowling Green on Sunday afternoon in the second round, and despite leading the majority of the game, BGSU ended SU's postseason run in the later stages of the game, 72-69. The No. 2 men's lacrosse team handled nearby Binghamton with ease by earning its fifth victory of the season, 13-4, on Saturday afternoon. The women's tennis squad snapped a four-game skid with two convincing BIG EAST triumphs this past weekend. Syracuse downed UConn (6-1) and Providence (7-0) in the final two matches of the season to improve its conference record to 4-2. The softball team split its BIG EAST doubleheader at Seton Hall, losing its first game, 5-1, and winning the backend, 9-0. The No. 8-ranked women's lacrosse team put up a fight against No. 1 Northwestern on Sunday, but the Wildcats offense proved too strong for the Orange as NU won, 19-8.
Women's Tennis
Syracuse got back on track in its final homestand of the season with convincing victories against Connecticut and Providence, putting a four-game losing streak to rest.
The doubles component dominated UConn in its 6-1 romp on Friday afternoon. Freshman Emily Harman and sophomore Christina Tan rolled on to their fourth consecutive doubles victory at the No. 1 position to set the tempo for the remainder of the day. Sophomore Jacquelynn Tang made her singles debut in grand fashion with a 6-1, 7-5 victory at the No. 6 post.
The Orange made an impression on the Drumlins faithful with a 7-0 victory in which SU allowed Providence only six points out of a possible 60.
Under the guidance of head coach Luke Jensen, Syracuse has found solace at home by assembling a 20-5 overall record in three years at Drumlins, losing only two in as many years.
The Orange takes to the road for its five remaining BIG EAST matches, starting up at Villanova on Saturday, March 28 and then crossing Pennsylvania for a bout with Pittsburgh on Sunday, March 29.
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Last Week
March 20 – vs. Connecticut, W - 6-1
March 22 – vs. Providence, W - 7-0
Next Week
March 28 – at Villanova (1:00 p.m.)
March 29 – at Pittsburgh (10:00 a.m.)
2009 Women's Tennis Schedule
Softball
Despite losing its first game at Seton Hall, 5-1, the Orange recorded its first BIG EAST victory in emphatic form with a 9-0 blanking in the backend of the doubleheader.
Freshman Stephanie Watts hammered a grand slam in the victory while sophomore Hallie Gibbs strung together a 4-for-7 day at the plate. Freshman Kelly Saco sent a three-run homer over the fence in the 9-0 triumph, as well.
Freshman Jenna Caira pitched a complete game for the Orange, punching out nine batters and allowing only four hits. It was her first career shutout as she moved to 4-4 on the season.
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Last Week
March 21 – at Seton Hall – L, 5-1 / W, 9-0
Next Week
March 24 – at Buffalo (DH) (3:00 p.m.)
March 27 – vs. Pittsburgh (DH) (2:00 p.m.)
March 29 – at Connecticut (DH) (Noon)
2009 Softball Schedule
Track & Field
Syracuse had the weekend off but will paint both corners of the country Orange when SU opens up its outdoor season at the Florida State Relays in Tallahassee, Fla. and the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif. The FSU Relays span from March 26-28 while the Stanford Invite is a two-day event starting on March 27.
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Last Week
No Competition Scheduled
This Week
March 26-28 – Florida State Relays
March 27-28 – Stanford Invitational
2008-09 Outdoor Track & Field Schedule
