Syracuse women’s lacrosse extends win streak to 13 in victory vs. Virginia, their longest since 2013
Syracuse women's LAX extends win streak to 13
Syracuse women’s lacrosse beat Virginia in the Dome 21-9 in a game dedicated to the team’s seniors. Before the Orange’s win, the seniors walked out with their families in front of the second-largest single-game crowd in program history.
“We just want to thank the community for showing up for us,” head coach Kayla Treanor said. “It means a lot to us and it just makes it such a great environment to play a lacrosse game.”
Both teams entered the game in the ACC, and with positive records overall. The Cavaliers looked to put a dent in the Orange’s perfect season, bringing a fiery game filled with aggressive back-and-forth clashes in midfield, a loud crowd, and goals galore. It ended in an impressive win for the Orange, who outshot their opponents 40-16 (30-14 on-target).
Right off the first draw, the game was hot, with early pushes and shoves all the way up the field. UVA got the opener from Ashlyn McGovern, assisted by Kate Miller. The Orange responded; Meaghan and Emma Tyrrell both got a goal, and Emma Ward an assist.
The Orange defense was under pressure for the next few minutes, eventually breaking to Rachel Clark’s goal to bring the contest level. Ward got a goal, Emma Tyrrell an assist, and then Clark scored again, zig-zagging past Orange defenders and flinging the ball past Delaney Sweitzer to level it 3-3.
The Cavaliers to stormed up the field after a disallowed SU goal, taking the lead through Mackenzie Hoeg converting Morgan Schwab’s pass. Olivia Adamson fired in an equalizer with a minute left in the period. With one second left on the clock, Ward snagged a 5-4 lead for the Orange off Emma Tyrrell’s pass.
The second period was locked until Maddy Baxter sliced through the Cavaliers’ backline and scored. Sierra Cockerille blasted in the Orange’s second of the period, later grabbing an assist. Schwab fed McGovern for Virginia, and Meaghan Tyrell scored two.
“[The win] shows the strength and love we have for each other,” said Meaghan Tyrrell. “We come out every day and work to make sure that we’re performing the best that we can, and even if we have lows in the game, we can always pick each other back up.”
Syracuse's Savannah Sweitzer (35) lifts her teammate Maddy Braxter (49) up in the air after celebrating a goal.
Syracuse's Tessa Queri (20) hustles down the field after securing the ball in her stick.
Ward’s unassisted rocket canceled out a slick on-the-ground goal from Jaime Biskup, assisted by Schwab. The Orange took a five-goal lead inside the last minute of the half when Ward found Megan Carney for her first of the game. Carney grabbed her second goal moments later.
There were end-to-end plays throughout the period, with saves from both goalkeepers. Sweitzer kept out UVA with some sharp saves, making three in the quarter after making no saves in the first period. The Orange entered at half-time, doubling the Cavaliers 12-6 and outshooting them 23-10.
“[The atmosphere] was unreal,” said Emma Ward. “On Senior Day, to come out and play like that was amazing… it’s a great feeling.”
Goalies Sweitzer and Abby Jansen kept the third period scoreless for the first five minutes. Baxter’s second goal, a magnificent solo run to Baxter’s right, broke the deadlock. A clever pass from Meaghan Tyrrell assisted Ward’s fourth goal.
In the final quarter, the Orange defense, which only conceded one in the previous quarter, stayed solid, allowing two. Carney scored two off of assists from Ward and Meaghan Tyrrell. Miller and Schwab both got consolation goals for Virginia, assisting each other.
Meaghan Tyrrell’s final goal, a rapid behind-the-back shot assisted by Savannah Sweitzer, ended the game 21-9.
“I think that 20 [goals] is a number that we can get to, and I think the offense is completely capable of that,” said Treanor. “I think this group [knows] that they’re capable of putting up numbers every time they step on the field.”
Meaghan Tyrrell and Emma Ward ran the show. Ward with four goals and six assists, and Tyrrell with six goals and three assists. Sweitzer had another solid night in goal, making five saves and some audacious runs deep into midfield that launched multiple Orange counterattacks.
The Orange play Clemson Saturday at 2 p.m. in an ACC matchup at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
is a reporter for The NewsHouse.
is a magazine, news and digital journalism undergraduate and a contributor for The NewsHouse. She is passionate about storytelling, especially in athletics.
