In a sports-heavy Saturday last week for Syracuse, the men's and women's lacrosse teams began their campaigns in the Carrier Dome. Two women's games were the "bread" to the men's lacrosse "sandwich". Weird analogy aside, the ladies dominated, pulling out two wins in the first of two consecutive weekends of double-headers.
Denver 10, Syracuse 18
The third-ranked Orange got on the board first with a goal by Lisa Rodgers, assisted by none other than Kayla Treanor. Denver would answer right back to tie the score at one a-piece. Treanor gave the Orange the lead for good with a little over 21 minutes to go in the first half. The Pioneers came within one, but that would be the closest they would get before the Orange pulled away.
Halle Majorana scored three goals on eight shot attempts, while Kailah Kempney had two goals on two assists, six draw controls, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers. Devon Collins added three goals of her own on one assist. Treanor left right where she left off last season with five goals on one assist, one draw control and one ground ball. If these three had been the only scorers of the game, the Orange still would have won. In goal, Kelsey Richardson saved seven shots from scoring. Most of Denver's goals came in the second half, too little too late.
Canisius 13, Syracuse 21
In the second game of the doubleheader, it was Majorana, Riley Donahue, and Erica Bodt who led the Orange in scoring, with four, four, and three goals respectively. Kempney contributed 14 draw controls, seven times the total for the next highest player in the category for the game. In both games combines, she ended up with 20 total draw controls, well on her way to another strong year in her specialty. She also scored two goals on two assists. The Canisius defense was much more aware of Treanor, only allowing her two goals.
It was already 4-0 Syracuse before Canisius scored their first goal of the game with just under 20 minutes to go in the first half. Canisius finished the half on a 5-2 run, facing only a 3-point deficit heading into intermission. The Orange then closed the door of opportunity, going on an 11-2 run before the Griffs scored four consecutive times to close out the game.
Three goalies saw action for the Orange, with Richardson getting the bulk of the minutes (almost 49). Richardson saved three shots and allowed nine goals. Kristiana Ferguson and Melanie Woon Avery saw about seven and four minutes of action, respectively. Avery had three saves and allowed two Canisius goals.
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Overall, the fans got to see two solid opening day games for the ladies. Between those and the men's game, Syracuse Lacrosse had a quite a fine lacrosse day.
Up Next...
This Sunday, the Orange have another Dome doubleheader as they welcome Canisius (don't ask me why they face them in consecutive games) and Presbyterian. The Blue Hose begin their 2015 campaign against Oregon this Friday before heading back east. Last season, they had an overall record of 4-14 and 0-7 in the Big South Conference. Where is Presbyterian, you ask? Clinton, South Carolina, to be exact.
The first game begins at 12:00 p.m. EST, followed by the second game at 7:30 p.m. EST.