Syracuse Falls Just Short in Overtime Heartbreaker
By Jaron May
CitrusTV Women’s Lacrosse Beat Reporter
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Syracuse was outdueled in the draw control category 7-17 at the end of regulation against Maryland. But senior Julie Cross stepped up big, corralling the draw to begin overtime, which lead to Gary Gait calling a timeout. Gait drew up a play, but the often reliable Emily Hawryschuk turned the ball over.
After some back and forth play, Alexa Radziewicz fouled UMD’s Hannah Warther inside the 8-meter fan. Warther lined up for her free position shot on the right side. As the SU defense came crashing down on her, she passed it across the middle and found Kali Hartshorn streaking in front of the crease. Hartshorn pumped towards the top right corner but threw the ball to the bottom left corner past Syracuse goalie Asa Goldstock as deafening cheers erupted from the Maryland faithful.
That play ended Syracuse’s (6-2, 1-1 ACC) heartbreaking 12-11 loss against Maryland (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten) in College Park Saturday afternoon.
It all started in unfamiliar territory as Syracuse is known for its quick starts this season. They secured the opening draw but could not capitalize on their first possession. Instead, the Terrapins got on the scoreboard first as Jen Giles finished her free position opportunity just two minutes into the game.
Giles led the way in this one, finishing with three goals, two assists, two ground balls, and four draw controls. Terps fans are accustomed to this kind of performance from their standout senior midfielder. She has finished with five or more points in all but two games this season.
The first half was a back and forth affair with no team pulling by more than two goals. The second half began in the opposite way. The Terrapins continued dominating on the draw, but Maryland scored three unanswered to match Syracuse’s 3-0 run that end the first frame.
After some more goals by each side, the Orange were down by two with 13 minutes left. That’s when SU’s veterans stepped up their game.
Senior Nicole Levy scored first with Hawryschuk following suit to tie it up with 11:55 still on the clock.
Levy ended the game with two goals and two assists, while Hawryschuk tallied four goals. That is the fourth-straight game the Tewaaraton Award Watch List honoree has registered the four goals.
Neither team could find the back of the net for the last eleven after scoring 22 combined goals in the first 49 minutes. The stalemate forced an overtime period, resulting in Hartschorn’s game-winning goal.
The loss is just Syracuse’s second of the season, but the Orange have only fallen to the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country. They will have to get over this one quickly, as SU stays on the road and heads down to Gainesville, Fla. to take on the Gators this upcoming Wednesday.
jmay02@syr.edu | @jaron_may
