Syracuse moved up to No. 2 in the Inside Lacrosse poll on Monday and it played like it. SU (3-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) bested Binghamton (1-2, 0-0 America East Conference) 17-10. Even though Binghamton only lost by seven, Syracuse was in control for most of the game.
Within the first three minutes of the game, the Orange scored three goals. They ended the first quarter with five goals in which attack Megan Carney scored on three. The first quarter ended 5-2 and that would be as close as Binghamton would get.
Starting the second quarter, it was an onslaught of goals from Syracuse. Off the opening draw, in the second quarter, junior Maddie Baxter scored. After that SU got 5 goals in the second quarter, going up 11-3. Two of the goals the ‘Cuse netted were out-of-free-position shots. Lots of players contributed scoring-wise in the second quarter whether it was Carney, senior Savannah Sweitzer, sophomore Emma Ward or junior Emma Tyrrell.
The Orange turned the ball over 14 times in the first half. SU limited its turnovers in the second half. Head coach Kayla Treanor attributed that to come out with more intensity.
“We talked about at halftime just playing with more intensity,” said Treanor. “I think it was more like a little bit half-speed out there throughout the first half and we talked about making an adjustment at halftime. I thought the girls definitely responded to that and came out and played with more intensity.”
The third quarter was the same story as the first half. Treanor said that midfielder Sierra Cockrille was a spark out of halftime scoring the first goal in the third quarter within the first minute. Syracuse scored three more goals and they had different people contributing like Emma Tyrrell, junior Jenny Markey and sophomore Natalie Smith.
The fourth quarter is when the tide began to turn. Syracuse was up 15-3 after three quarters but Binghamton had seven goals while Syracuse was only able to manage two. Treanor had taken out most of her starters to give them a break and also took out Goalie Delaney Sweitzer to put in sophomore Tate Paulson. Swetizer had eight saves and four goals allowed after three and a half quarters. Paulson allowed six goals in the fourth quarter which helped Binghamton make a run. But overall it didn’t really matter as Binghamton was down so far behind they couldn’t make it a close game.
Syracuse had 11 different players score a goal. Treanor said the reason so many players scored was because Syracuse played unselfishly.
“The girls are playing really unselfish and trying to find that extra pass so that’s awesome,” said Treanor. “Today’s a great day where you can play a lot of people and a lot of different people contributed.”
Meaghan Tyrrell was one of those unselfish players assisting on five Syracuse goals. In addition, Megan Carney was also phenomenal scoring four goals and two assists for Syracuse.
No.2 Syracuse faces Pittsburgh (2-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) this Saturday to continue its undefeated season. First draw is at 12 p.m.
