Orange Picked Second in ACC Preseason Poll
2/1/2017 11:15:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
O'Connor and Donahue Named to Preseason All-ACC Team
GREENSBORO, N.C. – No. 5 Syracuse has been picked to finish second in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in a preseason vote by the league's head coaches. In addition, senior Kaeli O'Connor and junior Riley Donahue were voted to the Preseason All-ACC Team.
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The Orange earned 52 points in the preseason poll. Defending national champion North Carolina was picked to win the league, garnering 63 points. Notre Dame was picked third (50 pts.), followed by Duke (37 pts.). Boston College and Virginia tied for the fifth spot with 29 points each. Louisville was seventh in the poll (20 pts.), while Virginia Tech was eighth (8 pts.).
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Syracuse posted a 19-6 record in 2016, including a 5-2 mark in ACC play. The Orange advanced to the finals of the ACC Tournament where they lost to the Tar Heels, 15-14, in overtime. Syracuse earned the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the national semifinals for the fifth consecutive season.
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O'Connor started all 23 games in which she played last season and helped the Orange defense hold their opponents to less than 10 goals 12 times. She posted career highs in ground balls (38) and caused turnovers (18) last season, ranking second on the squad in both categories. In addition, O'Connor also finished second on the team in draw controls (34).
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Donahue posted career highs in every statistical category last season. She tied for third on the team in points with 68 and was second in goals with 47. In addition, she dished out 21 assists. Donahue recorded at least one point in 24 of 25 games. She was selected to the All-Northeast Region First Team.
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Syracuse opens the 2017 campaign on Saturday, Feb. 11 against Boston College at noon in the Carrier Dome.
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The Orange earned 52 points in the preseason poll. Defending national champion North Carolina was picked to win the league, garnering 63 points. Notre Dame was picked third (50 pts.), followed by Duke (37 pts.). Boston College and Virginia tied for the fifth spot with 29 points each. Louisville was seventh in the poll (20 pts.), while Virginia Tech was eighth (8 pts.).
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Syracuse posted a 19-6 record in 2016, including a 5-2 mark in ACC play. The Orange advanced to the finals of the ACC Tournament where they lost to the Tar Heels, 15-14, in overtime. Syracuse earned the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the national semifinals for the fifth consecutive season.
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O'Connor started all 23 games in which she played last season and helped the Orange defense hold their opponents to less than 10 goals 12 times. She posted career highs in ground balls (38) and caused turnovers (18) last season, ranking second on the squad in both categories. In addition, O'Connor also finished second on the team in draw controls (34).
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Donahue posted career highs in every statistical category last season. She tied for third on the team in points with 68 and was second in goals with 47. In addition, she dished out 21 assists. Donahue recorded at least one point in 24 of 25 games. She was selected to the All-Northeast Region First Team.
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Syracuse opens the 2017 campaign on Saturday, Feb. 11 against Boston College at noon in the Carrier Dome.
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Players Mentioned
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