No. 2 Syracuse (3-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) starts ACC play against Pittsburgh (2-1, 0-0 ACC) Saturday at 12 p.m. The Orange have been rolling in their first three weeks, picking two major wins against top five opponents and taking care of business against Binghamton in their latest game.
The Orange have been bolstered by the play of their dynamic attacking duo Meaghan Tyrrell and Megan Carney. While their names might be spelled differently, the two graduate students have been in sync to start the year. Tyrrell has totaled at least six points in each game, and Carney has had four goals in those games as well.
Tyrrell was named ACC and Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Offensive Player of the Week for her outstanding play, this is her second Player of the Week selection in two weeks. Senior goalkeeper Delaney Sweitzer, who has been a major force for the Orange defensively, also picks up ACC Defensive Player of the Week. Sweitzer has been lights out in the crease this year, posting 32 saves, doubling her total from last year.
She looks to continue her impersonation of a brick wall this week against Pitt. The Panthers play at home for the first time this year on Saturday, this will also be Syracuse’s first road trip. The Orange went 4-4 on the road last year as the Panthers posted an 8-3 record at home, they’ll travel to Pittsburgh for the first time in program history.
When SU reaches Steel City, they’ll be met by attacker Camdyn O'Donnell and midfielder Emily Coughlin. Coughlin is the team’s most versatile player controlling the middle and attack as well, she is someone the Orange cannot take lightly.
Another player the Orange have to look out for is Hannah Van Middelem, a name that might sound familiar as she was a goalkeeper for the Orange for four years. Middelem totaled 55 saves in 26 games for the Orange before becoming a Panther, so far she has 30 saves through three games.
The Orange look to start conference play on a high note this Saturday, on the other side Pitt will try to upset the No. 2 ranked team in the country. The last time theses teams played, the Orange dominated the Panthers 15-6 at the JMA Wireless Dome, Meaghan Tyrrell lead that game with 8 points. First draw is set for 12 p.m. at Highmark Stadium.