In-between the women's and men's lacrosse games this past Saturday, a celebration was held to honor the past of each program. While the ceremony and cheers were appreciated gestures, it was what happened on the field in both contests that truly bestowed the honors.
First up, the women. The stigma so far was that SU could dominate a lesser team but just couldn't match-up against a fellow top-ten program. That stigma was stymied after a, 18-3 demolition of the #6 Georgetown Hoyas. Syracuse improved to 10-2 overall, 3-0 in the Big East, earned their first win over a top ten team this season and defeated the Hoyas in the regular season for the first time since 1999.
Leading the exorcism was, who else, junior Katie Rowan, who recorded 11 points on four goals and seven assists. Rowan broke the Syracuse single-season assist record, the Syracuse single-game points record and tied the school's single-game assists mark. She also inspired this puntastic headline, which I would consider horrible if I wasn't bothered that I didn't think of it first.
The Orange remained #5 in the latest poll and Georgetown only dropped a mere spot despite the lashing. Until #4 Virginia and others lose, the Orange are destined to move no higher due to their previous losses. The ladies travel to NJ this Saturday to take on Rutgers (6-6).
As for the men, the #1 team in the land still had a lot to prove. Many considered Duke to be the true #1 and the Orange needed to solidify their place with a win over a down but still dangerous Princeton. They answered the call, beating the Tigers 13-6. Steven Brooks and Brendan Loftus combined for 10 points and six goals. It was the defense that won the game for the Orange though, holding Princeton's leading scorers (Mark Kovler and Tommy Davis) to a combined two points. It was also the seventh time in nine games the Orange allowed fewer than 10 goals.
As impressive as the Orange's win was, it apparently didn't match the sizzle of Duke's 17-6 beating on Johns Hopkins, a team Syracuse only beat by one. As such, Duke leapfrogged the Orange in this week's poll and took the #1 spot by a mere three points. The Orange received 7 first-place votes but the Blue Devils nabbed 11. Honestly, I don't think it's worth squabbling over and if it give the Orange some kind of motivation for feeling disrespected, all the better.
The Orange step right back into the gauntlet tomorrow when they visit #5 Cornell (8-1). After an early-season loss to UNC, the Big Red have rattled off seven straight wins. The game is set for 7pm.
First up, the women. The stigma so far was that SU could dominate a lesser team but just couldn't match-up against a fellow top-ten program. That stigma was stymied after a, 18-3 demolition of the #6 Georgetown Hoyas. Syracuse improved to 10-2 overall, 3-0 in the Big East, earned their first win over a top ten team this season and defeated the Hoyas in the regular season for the first time since 1999. Leading the exorcism was, who else, junior Katie Rowan, who recorded 11 points on four goals and seven assists. Rowan broke the Syracuse single-season assist record, the Syracuse single-game points record and tied the school's single-game assists mark. She also inspired this puntastic headline, which I would consider horrible if I wasn't bothered that I didn't think of it first.
The Orange remained #5 in the latest poll and Georgetown only dropped a mere spot despite the lashing. Until #4 Virginia and others lose, the Orange are destined to move no higher due to their previous losses. The ladies travel to NJ this Saturday to take on Rutgers (6-6).
As for the men, the #1 team in the land still had a lot to prove. Many considered Duke to be the true #1 and the Orange needed to solidify their place with a win over a down but still dangerous Princeton. They answered the call, beating the Tigers 13-6. Steven Brooks and Brendan Loftus combined for 10 points and six goals. It was the defense that won the game for the Orange though, holding Princeton's leading scorers (Mark Kovler and Tommy Davis) to a combined two points. It was also the seventh time in nine games the Orange allowed fewer than 10 goals.
As impressive as the Orange's win was, it apparently didn't match the sizzle of Duke's 17-6 beating on Johns Hopkins, a team Syracuse only beat by one. As such, Duke leapfrogged the Orange in this week's poll and took the #1 spot by a mere three points. The Orange received 7 first-place votes but the Blue Devils nabbed 11. Honestly, I don't think it's worth squabbling over and if it give the Orange some kind of motivation for feeling disrespected, all the better.
The Orange step right back into the gauntlet tomorrow when they visit #5 Cornell (8-1). After an early-season loss to UNC, the Big Red have rattled off seven straight wins. The game is set for 7pm.