BC’s Apuzzo Scores Last Second Goal as Syracuse Loses Third Straight
By Nicole Weaving
Women’s Lacrosse Beat Reporter
BC’s Sam Apuzzo leads the nation in draw controls, assists and goals – where she ranks second in the nation. The Tewaaraton nominee had also won her third ACC Offensive Player of the Week honor this season last week.
Syracuse head coach Gary Gait knew that she would challenge his young defense.
“She dodges hard. She’s a good cutter. She’s a good all-around player,” Gait said. “We got to try to limit her opportunities. Not give her easy goals, put pressure on her. She’s gonna get some shots. Let’s make sure they’re not wide open with time and room.”
Apuzzo was still able to take advantage of the Orange defense despite this game plan. She had five goals and three assists, including the game-winning goal with 1.7 seconds left on the clock. No. 2 Boston College (17-0, 7-0 Atlantic Coast) remains undefeated as the Eagles topped No. 19 Syracuse (8-8, 0-6 Atlantic Coast) in Chestnut Hill.
Her big night started with the third goal of the game. Apuzzo was lingering behind the net, unmarked by a Syracuse defender as Ella Simkins didn’t see her. The junior was able to sneak along the crease and fire a shot past Asa Goldstock from close range.
Goal number two came off a fast break from the draw. She sprinted toward the cage with speed, throwing an aggressive split dodge and finishing in the top left corner.
Her third and fourth goals came from her connection with fellow junior Dempsey Arsenault. Apuzzo flashed to the ball in the middle of the 8-meter fan, allowing Arsenault to pass her the ball for the score that put the Eagles up, 11-10. The same thing happened with 3:11 remaining to tie the game at 12.
And in her final goal, all she needed was a step on Simkins and a good fake to win her team the game. This is the seventh time this season Apuzzo ended with least eight points.
But it wasn’t just her offensive performance in this game. She had seven draw controls, whie setting a new single-season record today by snagging 100 draws for BC. The junior also had six caused turnovers coming from the Eagles’ aggressive offensive ride.
The only bright spot for Syracuse came from Mary Rahal, who had a career-high four goals to give the Orange momentum in the second half. Asa Goldstock also had nine stops between the pipes.
The Orange will look to break its three-game skid against unranked Louisville on Sunday at noon.
@nicki_weaves | nlweavin@syr.edu
