Syracuse Women’s LAX survives close call against Virginia Tech in ACC Tournament opener

The number two Syracuse University Orange (16-1, 8-1 ACC) got ACC tournament play underway against the unranked Virginia Tech Hokies (10-9, 3-6ACC). The Orange would struggle to a 14 to 12 victory at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Orange started off slow in the first quarter as they were held off the board for the first eleven minutes of the game while conceding the opening goal to the Hokies. Senior midfielder Emma Tyrrell was able to change the complexion of the quarter by netting the Orange’s first goal. Junior midfielder Maddy Baxter followed up the younger Tyrrell with a goal of her own as the Orange led by a score of two to one after the first period of play.

Virginia Tech again opened the scoring in the second frame, but graduate attack Megan Carney and Tyrrell would follow up the Hokies’ goal with each a goal of their own to put the Orange up two. The Hokies would storm back and tie the game with more than six minutes to go in the period. Graduate midfielder Sierra Cockerille put the Orange back on top, but two minutes later, sophomore midfielder Blair Guy got her hat trick goal and tied the game back up. With just sixteen seconds left in the half, junior attack Emma Ward put Syracuse up six to five at the half.

Cockerille would get the scoring underway in the third quarter. Carney would grab the next goal, and Cockerille would follow her up. Freshman midfielder Ella Rishko would get two goals back for the Hokies before Ward got one for herself. The Hokies would grab two more before junior midfielder Natalie Smith beat the buzzer to score with just two seconds left on the clock.