#15 Fighting Irish Upsets #4 Orange

Sunday, March 26

12 pm

Syracuse University

8-3, 2-1ACC

Notre Dame

9-4, 3-1ACC

Notre Dame

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

3/26/2017 4:56:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Cuse TV: Highlights Cuse TV: Postgame Press Conference Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 4/8 Syracuse women's lacrosse team had its six-game home winning streak snapped in a 16-7 setback to No. 15/16 Notre Dame in the Carrier Dome on Sunday, March 26. The game was played in front of a crowd of 1,522, which is the sixth-highest in program history.

"Tough one," said Syracuse head coach Gary Gait. "From the opening whistle it just looked like we lacked a little intensity, and lacked some communication and chemistry out there. And then we weren't flowing between offense and defense. We'd get a stop at the defensive end and, unfortunately, we wouldn't capitalize on that stop on the offensive end. We dug a big hole and never really got that run we've had in the past where we get a spark and we make a run. And then you play a very good team like Notre Dame, who is fighting for their lives after coming off three losses in row. They came in here with tons of energy and fired up, kind of with their backs against the wall, and they got the best of us today. It gives us more to work on and an idea of what we need to do to be successful."

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
A goal by Natalie Wallon off an assist from Nicole Levy gave the Orange a 3-2 lead at the 13:42 mark of the first half. Cortney Fortunato tied the game on a free-position goal with 11:48 on the clock, starting a 5-1 scoring run for Notre Dame that gave the Fighting Irish a 7-4 halftime lead. Fortunato capped the run with a goal with 1.4 seconds on the clock.

Notre Dame led 8-4 when Levy's stick was ruled illegal, giving the Orange a two-minute, non-releasable penalty. The Fighting Irish scored three goals during that span to take control of the game. Back-to-back goals by Cara Quimby and Tori Wehner pulled the Orange within six, 12-6, but that was as close as they would get.

OF NOTE
Levy recorded three assists in the game to increase her team-leading point total to 34. She also leads the team in assists (15) and is tied for the top spot in goals (19).

UP NEXT…
Syracuse goes back on the road to face No. 5/6 Princeton on Wednesday, March 29 at 7 p.m.