Syracuse Makes a Statement Win over Louisville
Using the adjective “perfect” in the sports world is a loaded term. Today, it is warranted. No. 3 Syracuse Women’s Lacrosse (10-1, 6-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference) played a perfect ballgame. The Orange defeated No. 15 Louisville (5-8, 1-7 in Atlantic Coast Conference) 19-5 in Kentucky.
The first half was a back and forth affair. Megan Carney and Meaghan Tyrrell scored the first six goals for Syracuse, but Louisville answered back on multiple possessions. Attack Caroline Blalock scored twice in the first 15 minutes, and with some help from up top, Louisville scored an extra three goals to cut SU’s lead to one.
It was 6-5 with 6:39 left in the opening frame. That would be the last time Louisville would score.
The Meg Show, freshman Emma Ward, and veteran attack Morgan Alexander gave the Orange a 4-0 scoring run, giving the Cuse a 10-5 lead at the half. Asa Goldstock made some quality saves, but a .375 save percentage made her statline look worse than her play. Regardless, SU just had to keep their foot on the gas. And oh boy, they did.
In the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Orange scored five goals. Freshman Jenny Markey, who scored her first career goal on Tuesday vs UAlbany, snuck one past Louisville’s Rachel Florek. You can guess who the other two goal scorers were during that time period. Did you guess The Meg Show? Good.
Meaghan Tyrrell set a career-high with seven goals in today’s game. Meg Carney buried six hat-tricks in today’s effort to put her on the plus side of 40 genos this season. Ontario midfielder Bianca Chevarie and junior Jalyn Jimerson also scored in the second half, giving Syracuse a 19-5 victory.
So they were potent on offense, but what about defensively? The tandem of Goldstock and backup goaltender Hannah Van Middelem held the Cards scoreless in the final 36 minutes. The Orange caused 13 turnovers, was a perfect 21 for 21 in clear attempts, and allowed seven shots on goal through the entire game.
This was the best game Syracuse has played all season. It’s not an opinion, that’s a fact. Coming off a short week in UAlbany, making the trip south to Louisville, and playing like this is an achievement in itself. But, when you compare this to SU’s previous “best game”, it starts to make your head spin.
Before this victory, their season-opening win at Loyola was their “perfect game”. Syracuse held the Greyhounds to six goals, 12 shots on goal, and were 18 of 19 on clears. Loyola was the No. 5 team in the country at that time, but SU improved in all of these categories today.
The 10-1 Orange are on fire. Everyone is executing their role perfectly. The squad is going to be a force to be reckoned with this May. For Louisville, this is a tough pill to swallow. The Cards were non-existent coming out of the break. No offensive formula was found nor could they resist Tyrrell and Carney from doing whatever they please.
Luckily for Louisville, they have a rematch with the Cuse on Sunday. Game 2 of the weekend series draws at noon. No. 3 Syracuse will be looking for their seventh conference win on the season.
Joe Puccio | @TheRealJoePooch | jpuccio@syr.edu
