Orange Host Huskies in Season Opener

Syracuse vs. Connecticut
Game Details	Friday, Feb. 8 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| 3 p.m.
Game Coverage	TV: ACC Network Extra Radio: WJPZ 89.1 FM Twitter: @cuse \| @CuseWLAX \| Live Stats
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Connecticut Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- No. 15/13 Syracuse opens its 22nd season of play on Friday, Feb. 8 when it hosts Connecticut in the season opener. Opening draw is set for 3 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. Admission and parking are free of charge.

The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra and the Watch ESPN app. Fans can also listen to all the action on WJPZ 89.1FM in the Syracuse area.

ORANGE IN SEASON OPENERS
Syracuse is opening the season at home against Connecticut for the second consecutive season. The Orange are playing their fifth straight season opener at home. Syracuse is 16-5 overall and 11-0 under head coach Gary Gait in season openers.

ORANGE OUTLOOK
Syracuse is coming off its seventh consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Orange's season ended in a 12-11 double-overtime setback against Princeton in the first round. This season Syracuse will once again face one of the toughest schedules in the nation as it takes on No.1 Boston College, No.2 Maryland, and No. 3 North Carolina.

The Orange return three of their top four scorers from last season, including All-ACC First Team honoree Emily Hawryschuk. Hawryschuk led the team with 53 goals and 61 points. Defensively, Syracuse has All-ACC Second Team selection Kerry Defliese returning. She recorded career highs in caused turnovers (15), ground balls (17) and draw controls (40). Goalkeeper, Asa Goldstock will be back in the net for the Orange. Last season, she had a goals-against average off 14.28 and a save percentage of .438.

SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Connecticut finished the 2018 season with a record of 8-9, including 4-5 in BIG EAST play. Returning for the Huskies is senior Caitlin Leary and sophomore Sydney Watson. Leary was third on the team in scoring in 2018 with 37 goals. Watson scored 25 goals of her own, and led the team in assists with 15. Grace Beshlian, who played 17 games in goal for the Huskies, is also returning. She had a goals-against average of 13.21 and a save percentage of .369 last season.

THE SERIES
Friday's game will be the 21st contest between the two schools. The Orange have won the previous 20 meetings, including last season's opener where Syracuse posted a 23-11 victory in the Carrier Dome. Hawryschuk led the Orange with four goals and Nicole Levy added three goals and two assists.

UP NEXT
Syracuse opens the season by playing four games 11 days. Next up for the Orange is Binghamton on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.

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Players Mentioned

Kerry Defliese

Asa Goldstock

Emily Hawryschuk

Nicole Levy

Syracuse University Athletics