Orange Comeback Not Enough at No. 1 Maryland

Saturday, March 7

College Park, MD

2 pm

Syracuse University

5-2

Maryland

Syracuse

Maryland

Kelsey Richardson makes one of her 11 saves against Canisius.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

3/7/2015 4:54:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Kelsey Richardson records a career-high 16 saves against the Terps.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – No. 6/5 Syracuse cut its second-half deficit to one twice but couldn't overcome No. 1-ranked and defending national champion Maryland in a 10-7 setback in College Park. The Orange is now 5-2 overall, while the Terrapins improve to 5-0.

Junior Kayla Treanor scored four goals to lead Syracuse and take over sole possession of fifth place on SU's all-time goals scored list with 175. Senior goalkeeper Kelsey Richardson recorded a career-high 16 saves to go along with three ground balls and two caused turnovers to anchor Syracuse's defensive effort.

The Orange trailed, 7-3, at halftime before Treanor sparked Syracuse's comeback attempt. She tallied the first goal of the half on a hard shot just inside the far post into left corner of the net. Less than a minute later, Treanor added one to the highlight reel when she scored on a behind-the-back shot before recording her third straight goal on a shot from the left side to bring the Orange within one at 7-6 with 24:15 remaining.

Taylor Cummings halted Syracuse's scoring run at the 23:51 mark, but junior Halle Majorana answered when she found the back of the net off an assist from junior Kelly Cross at the 20:54 mark. Syracuse appeared to have tied the score less than a minute later, but Taylor Poplawski's stick was ruled illegal, negating the goal. Maryland took advantage and Cummings netted her fifth goal of the day on the ensuing possession to extend the Terrapins' lead to 9-7. Cummings scored again at the 12:03 mark, which would be the final goal of the game.

"We played young but we played with a lot of heart," said Syracuse head coach Gary Gait. "I liked the way (Kayla) Treanor stepped up in the second half to get us back into it. We came up with some draws (in the second half) and that was key. Kayla stepped up and put the ball into the back of the net and made things happen for us. I thought Kelsey (Richardson) played outstanding. I thought it was one of the best games she has played."

Maryland scored the game's first goal 49 seconds into the game, but junior Erica Bodt responded when she scored off a restart. With the Terrapins leading 4-2, Richardson made two stops on shots by Cummings and the Orange took advantage when Treanor netted her first goal of the game to cut the lead to 4-3 with 5:46 remaining.

Cummings scored at the 4:10 mark to spark Maryland on a 3-0 scoring run that gave it a 7-3 advantage. Richardson made her 11th save of the day, giving Syracuse the final possession of the half. Gait called timeout with the ball just short of midfield with 16 seconds on the clock. Junior Maddy Huegel passed the ball forward into the offensive end and freshman Riley Donahue appeared to have scored on a low shot, but she was called for being in the crease as the Terps went into the locker room up by four at intermission.

Maryland outshot Syracuse, 30-20. The Orange had a 17-12 advantage in ground balls, while the Terrapins won 11-of-19 draw controls.

Syracuse's road swing continues on Tuesday, March 10 when it takes on No. 4/6 Florida in Gainesville.