PHILADELPHIA - The Orange surmounted a rally, a second half comeback, to take its first lead of the game against a tough, undefeated No. 1 Maryland Terrapin squad.
It didn’t last long. Just 100 seconds.
Maryland (23-0) regained its lead, scoring with under three minutes left to end Syracuse’s season in the Final Four with an 11-10 loss to the Terrapins Friday night.
After a momentum changing 4-1 run to take a one-goal lead in the second half, Syracuse (18-4) could not hold on. Maryland scored two straight, including a game-winner with less than three minutes, continuing its perfect season. The Orange’s attempt to knot the game in the final minutes was unsuccessful, in large part to the shortage of players on the field caused by two late penalties.
“Unfortunately the outcome wasn’t the way we wanted it,” head coach Gary Gait said, “But we fought hard, never gave up, and we’ll say goodbye to our seniors and regroup for next year knowing what it feels like to fall short.”
With two women down and the clock dwindling, Syracuse tried to get back possession by running around, as senior defender Becca Block [12] put it, “like chickens with their heads cut off,” chasing the ball. it was just another example of why a shot clock needs to be implemented in women’s college lacrosse, Gait said.
Syracuse started the game in a hole, going down 2-0 early, but was able to rebound and keep the game within reach. The Terrapins scored in the last seconds of the first half and went into the locker room with momentum. But that didn’t last long. Syracuse quickly regained its footing, scoring just 17 seconds after the second half opened. Junior midfielder Amy Cross [13]’s goal started a 6-2 run that ultimately tied the game at 10 apiece with 16 minutes remaining in the game.
Freshman All-American Kayla Treanor [14]spearheaded the run, finishing the game with four goals and two assists. “She’s fun to watch, hard to coach against,” said Maryland head coach Cathy Reese. “She’s a phenomenal player,” Reese added.
The Orange used a patient offensive game to attack the daunted Maryland defense. Treanor continued dodging defenders to create offense for herself and her teammates. Junior midfielder Katie Webster [15] said, “the second half we definitely stepped it up.”
But the late Maryland goal put an end to the Syracuse comeback, launching the Terrapins to the championship game. “It’s a heartbreaking loss,” Treanor said.
The loss ends the season for the Orange. It was Syracuse’s third Final Four in the last four years for the esteemed program. Becca Block tried to summarize her career at Syracuse, “it’s been amazing to be a part of such a high program and not only were we part of a team but,” she stopped, getting emotional. Katie Webster helped her finish the sentence: “We’re like a family.
