Syracuse Overcomes Awful First Quarter, Defeats Duke 18-16

Ian:

“For the third time in the last three games, Syracuse Women’s Lacrosse saw a late lead slip out of thin air while playing Duke. The Orange led by three with five minutes to go, and then, only led by one with three minutes left. But a Kimber Hower save and a Sam Swart goal in the clutch, would lead to an 18-16 Syracuse victory. Coach Kayla Treanor was happy with her team’s late game execution after this one.”

Coach Kayla Treanor:

“They stepped up and made plays. And like you said, we’ve been a little iffy in the fourth quarter. And Sam, clutch goal. Just to finish that in that pressured moment. And they were able to wind down the clock the whole way which we asked them to do. And for her to finish it. And then at the end for Kimber (Hower) to make that save, you know, that’s what we’ve been looking for from them. To make those big time plays. And they did that today.”

Ian: 

“North Carolina transfer Kimber Hower made her first career collegiate start in goal for Syracuse today and collected eight saves against the best offense in the nation in Duke. Even though it was 9-2 after the first frame, this goalie was pretty calm, cool and collected in her first career start.”

Kimber Hower:

“I was actually very calm during the first quarter because I knew we were going to make a change. My coaches have really emphasized that they have a lot of trust in me. So, you know, that was never something in the back of my mind. I knew we would figure it out. I looked at my defender Katie Goodale, we looked at each other and said “we’re both so calm.” And it was 8-1 at one point.”

Ian:

“Hower did get plenty of support offensively from both Megan Carney and Meaghan Tyrrell who scored five goals a piece; including eight of Syracuse’s ten scores in the second half. This duo looks to stay hot in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday. A matchup with No. 13 UVA awaits the Orange.”