Syracuse Women's Lacrosse Continues to Make Case For Nation's Best Team

The Orange held their first ACC opponent to just four goals in a statement 16-4 win over Pitt.

Behind first-half hat tricks from Megan Carney and Emma Tyrrell, Syracuse downed Pittsburgh 16-4 in the Panthers’ home stadium. The Orange, the nation’s #2 team, is now 4-0 overall and 1-0 in ACC play.

While the Syracuse offense steamrolled any and all of Pittsburgh’s defense efforts, it was the defense that made all the difference for the Orange. The defensive unit forced the Panthers to commit nine turnovers and held their offense to 16 shots, only 10 of which were on goal.

The defense was so outstanding that senior goalkeeper Delaney Sweitzer only had to defend against eight shots, five of which she saved. Sweitzer allowed just three goals in her roughly 56 minutes of play, with one of her backups, Kimber Hower, allowing the remaining goal.

On the offensive end, the entire Syracuse team rendered all of Pitt’s defensive efforts useless. The offense managed to get off an impressive 39 shots, 29 of which were on goal. Additionally, five players scored multiple goals: Megan Carney, Emma Tyrrell, Sierra Cockerille, Emma Ward and Maddy Baxter.

Carney and Tyrrell both had a hat trick by halftime, marking Carney’s fourth in as many games and Tyrrell’s second of the season. Leading the way in assists were Olivia Adamson and Meaghan Tyrrell, who both recorded two on the day. In all, eight members of the Orange squad finished with multiple points.

While the Panthers’ offense struggled for the duration of the game, sophomore attack Sydney Naylor managed to find the net twice. She got six shots off, four of which were on goal.

Perhaps the highlight of the game was Naylor’s jaw-dropping, no-look, behind the back goal late in the fourth quarter. While the game was out of reach for Pitt at that point, Naylor’s highlight reel goal was one that those in attendance would not soon forget.

The Panthers’ goalkeeper was actually quite familiar with the Orange headed into the matchup. Why, you may ask?

Well, she used to wear the orange and blue.

Hannah Van Middelem transferred to Pitt this season as a graduate transfer. Despite what the score would suggest, Van Middelem showed out in goal for her squad. She recorded 13 saves and allowed 16 goals. While that second number may not look pretty, her defense left the weight of the game on Van Middelem’s shoulders, failing to prevent the Orange from getting open look after open look.

With the loss, Pitt falls to 2-2 on the year and 0-1 in ACC play.

The Orange are back in action Wednesday afternoon. They will take on the Great Danes of the University of Albany at 4:00 p.m. at the JMA Wireless Dome. 

SUPPORT ALL SYRACUSE

SUBSCRIBE TO ALLSYRACUSE.COM NOW TO GET ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE INSIDER CONTENT

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE ALL SYRACUSE NEWSLETTER TO GET THE LATEST ORANGE UPDATES SENT TO YOUR INBOX

JOIN THE ALL SYRACUSE FORUMS FOR FREE AND DISCUSS THE ORANGE WITH OTHER FANS AND OUR STAFF