Loyola Greyhounds Upset ACC Champs, Syracuse 9-8

Story by Lauren Williams
Photos by Jiyang Zhang

Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Loyola University women’s lacrosse team continued its winning streak Saturday, downing ACC Champions Syracuse University at the Syracuse Soccer Stadium in both teams’ final regular season game. The No. 16/14 Greyhounds capitalized on turnovers and wide shots from the No. 3/2 Orange to take the game 9-8. It's was the 14th win in a row for Loyola, including taking the Patriot League Championship.

“I guess we talked a good game about it being a playoff type game and, you know, for seedings and or going into the playoffs the right way,” Syracuse head coach Gary Gait said. “I guess, unfortunately, we weren’t up to the task today mentally.”

Loyola’s defense held off the Orange for much of the first half with the first goal of the contest coming almost 14 minutes into the game when senior attack Devon Collins netted her 16^th goal of the season.

“That was a big factor for us coming,” said Loyola head coach Jen Adams. “We spent a lot of time working on our defense and really making sure that when shots were taken, they were earned. I thought that [junior goalkeeper] Molly Wolf was incredible in the cage today, making some key saves and interceptions for us.”

Originally scheduled to take place in Baltimore, Adams and Gait felt it best to move the game to Syracuse because of the unrest in the area.

Loyola’s First Half Run

Instead of the Orange taking control and leading the game for most of the first half, the Greyhounds grabbed shots that hit the post and barreled down the field successfully clearing the ball. They eventually tied it at one each.
 

Then, after Syracuse took a 2-1 lead with 4:11 left in the first half the Greyhounds leapt ahead and ran off three straight goals to take a 4-2 lead into halftime.

Redshirt sophomore midfielder Katrina Geiger tied the game up and 17 seconds later senior attack Hannah Schmitt converted a successful draw control.

Under intense pressure from Loyola’s defense, Syracuse failed to answer. The Greyhounds picked up a ground ball and again barreled down the field. A pass from VanThof found the stick of senior midfield Sydney Thomas, who fired it into the back of the net, stretching the Greyhounds’ lead to two (4-2).

Syracuse Pushback Falls Short

Loyola showed no signs of letting up after scoring within minutes of the second half’s start for a 5-2 lead. The Orange answered quickly however when Syracuse junior attack Halle Majorana netted a goal off the free position.

Both teams continued to trade goals, although senior attack Kailah Kempney captured draw control after draw control giving the Orange more possession time. The Greyhounds kept them at bay never allowing them to close their deficit by two.

“I think we came out unfocused,” Kempney said. “Draws were going more our way and I think that had to do with the rest of the field picking it up in the second half.

With just over three minutes in the game, Syracuse pushed harder to come within one point at 9-8 on a goal by Kayla Treanor. But the with several fouls and two yellow cards within the last minute of play the Orange could not tie the game.

“I hope it’s a good [wake-up call],” Gait said. “I hope it’s something that you don’t forget. You remember to step onto the field to play no matter who you’re playing against.”

Up Next 

Both teams wait to learn where they fit in this year's NCAA Tournament. The selection show airs Sunday night at 9.