#3 Orange Face #22 Hokies in ACC Opener

Game Details: Sunday, March 8 | 1:30 p.m. | Charlotte, N.C.
Radio: WJPZ 89.1 FM
Twitter: @Cuse | @CuseWLAX
Live Coverage: Stats
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Schedule | Roster
Virginia Tech Links: News | Schedule | Roster

CHARLOTTE – No. 3 Syracuse begins conference play when it takes on No. 22 Virginia Tech on Sunday, March 8, in Charlotte, N.C. as part of the Crown Lacrosse Classic. Opening draw is set for 1:30 p.m.

The game will be broadcast on WJPZ 89.1 FM in the Syracuse area. Fans can also get live updates on Twitter (@CuseWLax).

ORANGE UPDATE
Syracuse improved its record to 6-1 with a 10-5 victory at Maryland last Saturday. The game marked the Orange's fifth consecutive victory. Senior Emily Hawryschuk led the Orange with five goals and six points. Sophomore Meaghan Tyrrell scored two goals, while sophomores Megan Carney and Sierra Cockerille and junior Sam Swart scored one each.

The Orange defense stifled the defending national champions, allowing only five goals. That is the least amount of goals Maryland has scored in a game since 2007.

TOP DEFENSES MEET
Saturday's game features two of the top defenses in the nation. Virginia Tech ranks first in the latest Division I statistics in scoring defense, allowing just 6.00 goals per game. Syracuse isn't far behind, giving up 6.86 goals per contest.

Both starting goalkeepers also rank among the top net minders in the country. The Hokies Angie Benson has a 5.28 goals-against average and a .606 save percentage, both of which rank No. 1 in the nation, while Syracuse's Asa Goldstock is third in the country in goals-against average (7.10).

ORANGE IN ACC OPENERS
Syracuse is 4-2 all-time in its ACC openers since joining the league in 2014. The Orange are one of two teams that have not yet started league play. The other is Boston College, which plays its league opener on Saturday.

SCOUTING THE HOKIES
Virginia Tech is 7-1 heading into Sunday's game after a 23-3 win over William & Mary on Wednesday. Since an overtime loss to James Madison in early February, the Hokies have won six straight games, including an 8-7 victory against Louisville in their ACC opener.

Virginia Tech is led by junior Paige Petty and freshman Kayla Frank. Paige has scored a team-best 35 goals, while Frank leads the team in points with 43 on 21 goals and 22 assists this season.

John Sung is in his fourth season at the helm of the Hokies' program. In his first season with Virginia Tech, Sung led the team to its best turnaround in program history, winning six more games than the previous season.

SERIES HISTORY
Sunday's game marks the 11th meeting between the Orange and Hokies. Syracuse leads the all-time series, 9-1. The Orange jumped out to an early lead in last year's game between the two schools and held on for a 14-13 victory. In the win, Megan Carney led the 'Cuse with four goals and a career-high nine points.

UP NEXT
The Orange travel to Charlottesville to take on Virginia in their second of six consecutive road games on Thursday, March 12. The game will be televised on ACC Network and ACC Network Extra.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Megan Carney

Sierra Cockerille

Asa Goldstock

Emily Hawryschuk

Sam Swart

Meaghan Tyrrell

Syracuse University Athletics