Donahue Leads Orange in Setback to No. 3 Florida

Tuesday, March 14

Gainesville, Fla.

1 pm

Syracuse University

7-2

Florida

6-1

Syracuse

Florida

Riley Donahue tied her career high with seven points against Boston College.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

Donahue Leads Orange in Setback to No. 3 Florida

3/14/2017 4:55:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Junior Riley Donahue tied her career high with four goals to lead No. 5/6 Syracuse in its 19-12 setback at No. 3/3 Florida on Tuesday, March 14. The Orange are now 7-2 overall, while the Gators improve to 6-1.

"I give credit to Florida," said Syracuse head coach Gary Gait. "They are an outstanding team. They dominated us from the opening whistle. We'll regroup and get ready to battle another day."

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
Florida jumped out to an early lead, scoring the first four goals of the game. Back-to-back goals by junior Kelzi Van Atta (Rochester, N.Y.) brought the Orange within three at 8-5 at the 10:20 mark, but the Gators tallied six unanswered goals in the final 8:23 to take a 13-5 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Florida extended its scoring run with the first two goals of the second half to take its largest lead of the game at 15-5. Sophomore Nicole Levy ended Syracuse's scoring drought of more than 30 minutes with her first goal of the day. Redshirt freshman Mary Rahal and junior Neena Merola followed with goals to cut the deficit to seven, 15-8, but that was as close as the Orange would get.

OF NOTE
Donahue posted four goals in a game for the second time this season and fifth in her career. She also had an assist for a team-high five points. She now leads the team in points (29), goals (17) and assists (12).

Sophomore Bri Stahrr played the final 34:42 in goal and made a career-high eight saves.

UP NEXT…
Syracuse concludes its three-game road trip against Harvard on Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m. at Rollins College.