Syracuse Prevails as Duke Comeback Falls Short

By Kerry Bretti 

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- A strong first half for the No. 4 Syracuse made it difficult for a fighting No. 14 Duke to make a comeback late in the game at the Carrier Dome on Sunday afternoon. The Orange went on a 9-2 run in the first half and led 11-5 at the break. Duke then held Syracuse to only three goals in the second half but the Orange was victorious, beating the Blue Devils 14-12.

Kayla Treanor, Halle Majorana, Nicole Levy and Kelly Cross each scored two goals during that 9-2 run in the first half that made it impossible for Duke to catch up. Treanor led in points, tallying three goals and four assists. Majorana added a hat trick of her own and an assist and Nicole Levy finished with two goals and three assists.

Syracuse’s defense was stingy in the first half. The Orange threw faceguards on Duke’s Kyra Harney and Kelci Smesko, the team’s leading scorers, and both were held scoreless. Allie Murray played the full 60 minutes between the pipes for the Orange and made eight saves on 20 shots on goal.

Without its two leading scorers shut down, Duke’s scoring was led by senior Maddy Acton who had six goals. Maddy Crutchfield added a hat trick and an assist for the Blue Devils. Duke went on a 7-2 run to end the second half but it didn't prove to be enough to catch the Orange.

In goal for the Blue Devils, Kelsey Duryea made seven saves on 21 shots on goal.

The teams were pretty evenly matched throughout the game, each dominating one half. Syracuse won 14 of 27 draw controls with Kayla Treanor at the center and each team took 27 shots.

With the win, Syracuse improves to 10-3, 3-1 in ACC play, and Duke falls to 8-4, also 3-1 in ACC play. Next up Syracuse traveled to Buffalo to play Canisius at 7pm in the second half of a home and away doubleheader. Duke travels to Boston to play Boston College on Saturday, April 9. The Orange is at Virginia Tech on the same day.