The 2008 team celebrates its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament semifinals.
Photo by: Stephen Parker
Cuse Classic: Orange Secures School’s First National Semifinal Appearance
5/17/2012 5:05:59 PM | Women's Lacrosse
SYRACUSE , N.Y. – Saturday's game between No. 4 Syracuse and No. 5 North Carolina marks the second time the schools have met in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals and third time they have played in the national tournament. In 2008, the Orange defeated the Tar Heels, 13-11, to advance to the national semifinals for the first time in school history.
In a tight game that featured four ties, North Carolina broke a 9-9 tie, taking its first lead of the game on Megan Bosica's third goal of the contest with 9:50 remaining. Following an SU timeout, Katie Rowan scored an unassisted goal 45 seconds later to knot the game, and then fed Halley Quillinan for a goal that put Syracuse ahead for good with 8:30 on the clock.
Syracuse increased its lead when Megan Mosenson converted a pass from Rowan, before the Tar Heels again cut the lead to one on Bosica's fourth goal of the game. The Orange clinched the victory when freshman goalkeeper Liz Hogan threw a clearing pass 55 yards to Jackie DePetris who scored an open-net goal with 55 seconds remaining for the 13-11 final.
Christina Dove was a sophomore on the 2008 squad. She ranked second on the team in scoring that season with 100 points, five of which came in the historic win against North Carolina.
“It was such special game for our team that year and for the program in general,” Dove said. “It was the first time the program made it to the Final Four, which was such a turning point in Syracuse lacrosse history.”
Head coach Gary Gait was in his first season at the helm of the Orange program in 2008. He guided Syracuse to a record-setting year as SU won a school-record 18 games and claimed the program's first outright BIG EAST regular-season title. The Orange also won the BIG EAST Tournament for the second consecutive year.
Prior to 2008, Syracuse had won one NCAA Tournament game. The win against North Carolina started the Orange on the most success five-year run in school history. Since 2008, SU has won or shared four BIG EAST regular-season titles, made four appearances in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the national semifinals twice.
“It was an incredible win for the program,” Gait said. “It just showed what we were capable of doing. To be in that in that elite four, showed the players that they had that ability got them thinking that we should be there every year.”
Tickets for Saturday's game are $8 for adults and $5 for youth ages 12 and under. Syracuse and North Carolina students can purchase tickets for $5 with a valid school ID. Parking will be available in the Dome West lots for $5.
In a tight game that featured four ties, North Carolina broke a 9-9 tie, taking its first lead of the game on Megan Bosica's third goal of the contest with 9:50 remaining. Following an SU timeout, Katie Rowan scored an unassisted goal 45 seconds later to knot the game, and then fed Halley Quillinan for a goal that put Syracuse ahead for good with 8:30 on the clock.
Syracuse increased its lead when Megan Mosenson converted a pass from Rowan, before the Tar Heels again cut the lead to one on Bosica's fourth goal of the game. The Orange clinched the victory when freshman goalkeeper Liz Hogan threw a clearing pass 55 yards to Jackie DePetris who scored an open-net goal with 55 seconds remaining for the 13-11 final.
Christina Dove was a sophomore on the 2008 squad. She ranked second on the team in scoring that season with 100 points, five of which came in the historic win against North Carolina.
“It was such special game for our team that year and for the program in general,” Dove said. “It was the first time the program made it to the Final Four, which was such a turning point in Syracuse lacrosse history.”
Head coach Gary Gait was in his first season at the helm of the Orange program in 2008. He guided Syracuse to a record-setting year as SU won a school-record 18 games and claimed the program's first outright BIG EAST regular-season title. The Orange also won the BIG EAST Tournament for the second consecutive year.
Prior to 2008, Syracuse had won one NCAA Tournament game. The win against North Carolina started the Orange on the most success five-year run in school history. Since 2008, SU has won or shared four BIG EAST regular-season titles, made four appearances in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the national semifinals twice.
“It was an incredible win for the program,” Gait said. “It just showed what we were capable of doing. To be in that in that elite four, showed the players that they had that ability got them thinking that we should be there every year.”
Tickets for Saturday's game are $8 for adults and $5 for youth ages 12 and under. Syracuse and North Carolina students can purchase tickets for $5 with a valid school ID. Parking will be available in the Dome West lots for $5.
Women's Lacrosse Postgame Press Conference vs. Virginia Tech
Saturday, March 07
Highlights | Women's Lacrosse vs. Virginia Tech
Saturday, March 07
Syracuse Women's Lacrosse Postgame Press Conference
Friday, March 06
Women's Lacrosse Media Availability | March 5, 2026
Thursday, March 05
