Balanced Game On Both Ends Lifts Syracuse WLAX Passed Towson

A solid defensive effort and six goal flurry in the second half lifted the No. 5 Syracuse women's lacrosse team (3-2, 0-0) passed No. 16 Towson (1-4, 0-0) 10-3, Saturday afternoon at Johnny Unitas Stadium. The Orange improve to 9-0 overall against the Tigers.

"Defensively, I thought it was one of our best performances in a long time," Syracuse head coach Gary Gait said. "They forced the errors, they forced the mistakes and they played great team defense. They gave us a lot of opportunities to get the ball back. Our attack rode hard. They weren't clicking on the offensive end but one thing they know they can do is ride hard to the opposite 30 (yard line)."

The Orange defense never let the Tigers settle into its game, causing 25 turnovers and dictating the pace of play throughout the game. Towson, one of the worst teams in clearing in the Colonial Athletic Association, converted just 11-23 clears on the afternoon.

The Tigers lone bright spot was sophomore goalkeeper Kelsea Donnelly. Donnelly tied her career high in saves with 11.

Syracuse wasted no time in the first half as draw specialist Kailah Kempney scored the Orange's first goal of the game on a free position just five minutes in. Eight minutes later, freshman Kayla Treanor found Devin Collins and was then followed up by an unassisted Michelle Tumolo goal at the 14:53 mark.

Surging out to an early 3-0 lead, Towson head coach Sonia LaMonica called a timeout to refocus her squad. It seemed to work as freshman midfielder Breanna Hamm scored her first career goal off a pass from sophomore attack Sarah Maloof. Despite a Orange goal from Amy Cross at 10:22, the Tigers would enter halftime on a two goal run and trail 4-3.

The Orange began its scoring onslaught 30 seconds into the second half on an unassisted Treanor goal. The offense featured a balanced attack with goals from six different players: Tumolo (2), Treanor (2), Collins (2), Cross (2), Bridget Daley (1) and Kempney (1). Junior Alyssa Murray was held scoreless, notching her only assist of the day on a Collins connection at the 23:42 mark to put the Orange up 6-3.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Richardson would make her first collegiate start for the Orange and record two saves. Her counterpart, senior Alyssa Costantino made an appearance at the start of the second half. Costantino made four saves.

Syracuse will open BIG EAST play against UConn on Saturday, March 22, at the Carrier Dome.