foimbert's Blog

Women's soccer team extends streak to 3

Syracuse improves to 4-2 in conference play with a 2OT victory against Rutgers, 2-1.

The Syracuse University women’s soccer team improved to 5-4-3 (4-2 Big East) Sunday after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-6-1, 1-4-1 Big East) in a double overtime thriller, 2-1.

The Orange, which scored a season-high of four goals Friday against Seton Hall, struggled to find the net Sunday in Piscataway, N.J. The only goal scored in regulation time by the Orange came courtesy of junior defender Amanda Hamilton at the 23:38 mark. Hamilton's goal followed a goal by Rutgers' Ashley Medcalf at 12:27 into the game.  

Syracuse didn't find the back of the net again until the 103:18 mark, when junior midfielder Jasmine Watkins tallied her first of the season. The team has not been a stranger to close games--this marks their 10th game this season decided by one goal. 

The Orange registered 14 shots, nine of which were on goal, and was only caught offside once in the game. The Scarlet Knights shot 16 times, only four on goal, and were caught offside five times. The Orange also added to its Big East-leading foul total after committing 11 against Rutgers. 

Syracuse returns to the pitch to try to extend its three-game winning streak Friday at 7 p.m. when it plays on the road against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

 

(Image courtesy of Stock.XCHNG)

 

Women's soccer improves to .500

Led by an explosive offensive attack, the Orange defeat Seton Hall on the road, 4-1.

The Syracuse University women’s soccer team improved to 4-4-3 (3-2-0 Big East) Friday after trumping the Seton Hall Pirates (7-3-2, 3-2 Big East) in South Orange, N.J., 4-1. 

Syracuse struck first after senior defender Casey Ramirez scored her first goal of the year at the 26:51 mark. Ramirez scored the goal off of a Brittany Kinmond pass from 18 yards out. The goal came after a slow start for SU as the squad accumulated three fouls within the first 11 minutes of the game and only recorded one shot before the goal.

Ramirez's score, however, sparked the rest of the offense. 

SU scored again at the 32:59 mark when sophomore defender Cecilia Borgstrom netted her second goal of the year. Borgstrom slipped from her defender and struck the ball from 15 yards out and into the net. 

The second half saw more Orange dominance as freshman midfielder Megan Hunsberger netted her second goal of the season. Goalkeeper Brittany Anghel set the play in motion with a long lead pass, setting Hunsberger up for a good look from 16 yards out. Midfielder Tina Romagnuolo netted the fourth and final goal for SU in the 78th minute. The Pirates broke the shutout in the 78th minute with a goal by Ashley Beamish

Despite the offensive surge Friday, Syracuse committed 11 fouls against Seton Hall, raising its Big East-leading total to 130.

The Orange hopes to extend its winning streak to three Sunday in Piscataway, N.J. against Rutgers.  

 

(Image courtesy of Stock.XCHNG)

Date for Midnight Madness announced

SU men's and women's basketball teams to celebrate first practice at the Carrier Dome October 14.

It's official. The 2011 AmeriCU Credit Union Midnight Madness will take place October 14 at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse announced earlier today. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the event begins at 8. The event will mark the beginning of the 2011-12 season for both the men's and women's basketball teams. Midnight Madness is the first practice of the year for both basketball teams, but the atmosphere of the event resembles more of an NBA All-Star game than a mid-season practice.

The night will not only feature both basketball teams for SU but also 1980s rapping sensation Tone Loc and the Russian Bar Trio from "America's Got Talent." Also, Deena Nicole Cortese of 'Jersey Shore' fame will be signing autographs. The event is designed to attract a wide variety of people.

“Even the most casual basketball fan will want to come out and see the show," Ed Levine, president and CEO of Galaxy Communications, told Syracuse.com. "We’ve got Tone Loc. There’s no show on TV hotter right now than 'Jersey Shore.' We have the acrobatic group from 'America’s Got Talent.' And starring the men’s and women’s basketball teams." 

Midnight Madness is an annual event held at SU and other colleges across the country. Last year's event featured a 5-minute scrimmage, a dunk contest and a lavish entrance by the men's basketball team and its coaches. Players arrived in a stretch Hummer, while coaches arrived in three limos.

The event is free but a ticket is required to get into the building. Tickets will be available Thursday, October 6 at the following AmeriCU Credit Union locations:

• Shine Student Center, Syracuse University campus 

• 6303 Thompson Road, Syracuse

• 200 Walton St., Syracuse

• 7474 Oswego Road, Liverpool

• 6414 State Route 31, Cicero

• 1916 Black River Blvd., Rome

• 231 Hill Road, Rome

• 224 N. Genesee St., Utica

• 4957 Commercial Drive, Yorkville

• 295 Grant Ave., Auburn

• 326 E. State St., Herkimer

• 10750 Enduring Freedom Drive, Fort Drum

• 20991 NYS Route 3, Watertown

• 7394 Utica Blvd., Lowville

• 280 Genesee St., Route 5, Oneida

 

Orange clinches share of Big East title, rolls past Villanova

Career-high 8 points for Tee Ladouceur lead Syracuse before match up against Georgetown

The No. 18 Syracuse University women’s lacrosse team (10-7, 7-1 Big East) clinched at least a share of the Big East regular season title after a 20-6 victory over the Villanova Wildcats (5-11, 1-7 Big East) at Villanova, Pa. Tee Ladouceur led the way for the Orange offense with a career-high 8 points.

Ladouceur sparked the Orange offense early after netting her first goal at the 29 minute mark of the first half. Sarah Holden followed Ladouceur’s lead by netting two goals of her own. Kirkland Locey, Alyssa Murray, Michelle Tumolo and Catherine Rodriguez all scored after Holden’s two goals, giving the Orange a 7-0 lead at the 12:39 mark. After Villanova’s only goal of the first half, Ladouceur netted two more goals, followed by four more goals scored by Lindsey Connell, Amy Cross, Katie Webster and Tumolo. The Orange closed the first half leading 13-1.

The second half started off with Holden’s third goal of the game, followed by another goal scored by Heather Wentz. Locey also netted her second at the 25:36 mark, and Lauren Welch scored her first of two goals at the 14:08 mark. Taylor Nims also scored two for the Orange, giving it a 20-2 lead at the 5:13 mark, its largest lead of the game. The Wildcats did close the game by scoring four unanswered goals, but it was too late for a comeback.

Even though the Orange was outshot 27-31, it still managed to dominate the game. The Orange recorded 12 saves, ten of those coming from Liz Hogan. Syracuse also had 13 turnovers whereas Villanova had 21. The Orange was also perfect in clears, going 15-of-15. A few bright spots for the Wildcats are the fact that they beat Syracuse in draw controls, 16 to 10, and that they scored off a free-position shot in the second half.

Syracuse head coach Gary Gait said he likes the way his team is playing towards the end of the season.

“The players challenged themselves. We’re making plays,” Gait said,” We have enough game experience that the game has slowed down for our freshman and sophomores.

“The first half of the year, they were making mistakes when they had opportunities to make plays. Against Loyola, they made the plays when they had to and took control of the game. That comes from the experience they’ve had through the first part of the season.” 

The Orange will play in the Big East tournament Thursday, May 5 at Georgetown, with the winner of the tournament receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Lady Orange upset Loyola for big road win

The No. 18 Syracuse women's lacrosse team held off a late rally from No. 7 Loyola in Baltimore, to upset the Greyhounds, 10-9, and stretch their longest winning streak of the season to four games.

The No. 18 Syracuse University women’s lacrosse team upset the No. 7 Loyola (Md.) Greyhounds Friday, 10-9, in Baltimore. The Orange improved to 9-7 (6-1 Big East) and increased their longest winning streak of the season to four games.

The Orange started off the first half strong when Catherine Rodriguez scored at the 28:27 mark, but the Greyhounds responded. Caroline Hager and Abby Rehfuss both scored shortly after Rodriguez’s goal, giving the Greyhounds a 2-1 lead.

Tee Ladouceur scored her 30th goal of the season at the 21:58 mark, tying the game at two goals apiece. Loyola responded, however, by scoring two more goals courtesy of Hager and Grace Gavin. The first half ended tied 5-5 after Katie Webster, Michelle Tumolo and Alyssa Murray scored for the Orange.

The second half commenced with a barrage of goals by the Orange. Tumolo scored two goals, one at the 28:58 mark and the other at the 11:27 mark, to complete her hat trick and bring her scoring tally to 21. Ladouceur and Murray both scored their second goal of the match during the Orange’s scoring run. SU shut out Loyola during the five-goal, 20-minute scoring run, but the game was not over.

The Greyhound offense woke up after Holden’s goal, and Loyola 13-2 (5-2 Big East) scored four unanswered goals to end the game. Gavin scored her second of the match at the 8:17 mark, Taryn Vanthof scored two and Marlee Paton scored with 25 seconds left. The Greyhounds, however, weren’t able to complete the comeback.

Tumolo led the way for the Orange, as she recorded a game-high five points off of two assists and a hat trick. Gavin led the way for Loyola with three points. Liz Hogan had six saves and allowed nine goals for the Orange. Kerry StootHoff recorded six saves for the Geyhounds.

Both teams were evenly matched in many statistical departments. The shots tally was won by the Orange, 23-22, while Loyola won the groundball battle 18-15. Loyola also won 11 draw controls to Syracuse’s 10. Loyola also managed to commit fewer turnovers than the Orange, as they recorded 14 turnovers to Syracuse’s 16.

The Orange will close out the season Sunday at noon at Villanova.

Women's lacrosse blasts Bearcats on Senior Day

The No. 19 ranked SU women's lacrosse team evened it's record Saturday with a blowout win over Cincinnati. The Orange blasted the Bearcats, 20-3.

On Senior Day, the No. 19 Syracuse University women’s lacrosse team improved to 7-7 (5-1 Big East) after its best performance of the season, a 20-3 rout of the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-13, 0-7) Saturday at the Carrier Dome.

The Orange’s relentless attack ignited with Katie Webster’s only goal of the match at the 27:24 mark, and never slowed down after that.

SU took a 12-1 lead at the end of the first half, a half that saw Tee Ladouceur, Alyssa Murray, Michelle Tumolo, Becca Block, Catherine Rodriguez and Sarah Holden all score for the Orange. Marissa Pierson scored the Bearcats’ lone goal of the first half.

The Orange kept pouring it on in the second half as Rodriguez scored her second goal of the game at the 27:12 mark. Also, sophomore attacker Trenna Hill recorded a hat trick in the second half – her first of her career.

Caz-Marie Norwich also contributed to the scoring tally by netting her first goal of the season at the 20:13 mark. Heather Wentz and Taylor Nims also scored in the second half. As for the Bearcats, Pierson and Laura Simanski both scored in the 5:34 mark and 2:05 mark respectively, but those were the only bright spots for the Bearcats in this game.

The Orange outshot the Bearcats 26-9 and outscored them 8-2 in the second half. The Orange also recorded 29 points, opposed to the Bearcats five. Syracuse also won the battle in the assists column, 9-2, and forced 11 turnovers, recorded 14 groundballs, won 12 draw controls, and recorded four free-position goals.

On the defensive side, the SU goalies didn’t see much action as Liz Hogan, Brooke Conley and Alyssa Constantino recorded four saves combined. As for the Bearcats goalies, Haley Marvine and Jen Walsh recorded four saves combined and gave up six and 14 goals, respectively.

Ladouceur made history for the Orange Saturday, as she is now sixth on the all-time points list at SU with 161 points. She recorded six points off of three assists and a hat trick.

Following the blowout win, Syracuse will look to keep it’s momentum going when it plays Cornell Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Dome.

Women's lacrosse can't handle Dartmouth

Orange falls to 3-6 after blowing halftime lead in 10-7 loss to Big Green.

The No. 14 Syracuse University women’s lacrosse team fell to 3-6 (1-0 Big East) Monday following a loss to No. 19 Dartmouth at Lebanon, N.H.

The Orange started off strong as it took a 5-3 lead into halftime, thanks to two goals by senior Catherine Rodriguez, her ninth and tenth of the season. Goals were also scored by freshman Alyssa Murray, her ninth of the season, sophomore Michelle Tumolo, her twelfth, and Lindsey Connell, her sixth.

The Big Green, however, erased the Orange’s two-goal advantage right off the bat in the second half, as Kirsten Goldberg scored two goals within the first four minutes, including a goal less than one minute into the period.

The Orange was able to contain the Big Green’s momentum for a while, as Sarah Holden scored her thirteenth goal of the season off of a free-position shot at the 25-minute mark to regain a 6-5 lead. But the Big Green responded scoring five unanswered goals, two of which were scored by Sarah Plumb off of two free-position shots. Goldberg, Kat Collins and Greta Meyer also scored during the run.

Despite a 26-21 lead in the shot column, the Orange lost 10-7 and has now lost three out of its last four games. The Orange ended the game neck-and-neck with Dartmouth in a number of categories, including ground balls (19-19), draw controls (10-9 Orange), and turnovers (17-16 Orange). The Orange did lose the goalkeeping battle as Liz Hogan saved six shots and allowed all ten Dartmouth goals. Kristen Giovanniello saved ten and allowed all seven Syracuse goals.

The Orange also lost the second half battle, as it was outscored 7-2 in the second half, but the Orange was missing starters Tee Ladouceur and Lindsay Rogers due to injuries.

As for the Big Green, they are now 7-1 (3-0 Ivy) and have won four straight games. Plumb led the team with eight points, three of those coming from goals and the other five coming from assists.

The Big Green will return to the field Saturday to host Cornell.

The Orange ended its six-game road trip 2-4 and will return to the field Friday at 4pm to host the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies.

Women's lacrosse tops Rutgers in Big East opener

The Syracuse women's lacrosse team snapped a two-game losing streak Saturday with a victory over conference rival Rutgers, 11-7. The No. 16 Orange improve to 3-5 with the win.

The No. 16 Syracuse University women’s lacrosse team snapped a two-game losing streak Saturday with an 11-7 victory against No. 18 Rutgers on the Scarlet Knights' home field.

The Orange started off strong thanks to freshman Katie Webster’s early goal. The Scarlet Knights then took an early lead, 2-1, thanks to back-to-back goals by Ali Steinber — two of three she scored on the day.

The Orange regained the lead after 3-0 run sparked by the first of Catherine Rodriguez’s three goals. Michelle Tumolo and Amy Cross capped the run for the Orange with a goal each. Following the run, Rutgers' Lindsay Watts broke the SU scoring run, but the Orange offense was too much as SU took an 8-4 lead into the half. Sarah Holden, Alyssa Murray and Tee Ladouceur all scored goals for the Orange as well.

Syracuse started the second half strong thanks to two goals scored by Rodriguez within the first eight minutes. However, Steinber completed her hat trick at the 22-minute mark, and Kristen Anderson scored two goals at the 11:44 mark and at the 7-minute mark, bringing the Orange lead down to three. That was as close as the Scarlet Knights would get though, as Murray scored the final goal with 2:49 to go.

The win brought the Orange’s record to 3-5 overall and gives SU its fourth straight win in Big East openers. The win also gives the Orange their 13th win against the Scarlet Knights, bringing SU’s record against Rutgers to 13-3.

Tumolo recorded her team-leading 13th assist in the first half, and leads the team with 27 points this season after a game-high five points Saturday. Senior goalkeeper Liz Hogan recorded seven saves for the Orange, and played the entire game.

Steinber’s four points led the Scarlet Knights, but the rest of the team only recorded five points combined. The shot distribution favored the Orange, but only by one, as Syracuse recorded 22 shots and Rutgers 21. The Scarlet Knights did lose the turnover battle, as they recorded 11 turnovers to the Orange’s eight.

Ladouceur also continued chasing history, as she is now seven points shy of tying Monica Joines for sixth on the all-time SU scoring list after recording two points against Rutgers.

The Orange will conclude their six-game road trip against Dartmouth University on April 4, at 7 p.m., in Lebanon, N.H.

Northwestern adds to Orange woes

Syracuse struggled to contain the No. 2 Wildcats on defense, giving up 14 goals and falling to Northwestern Wednesday.

The No. 16 Syracuse University women’s lacrosse team continues to look for answers following a 16-11 loss to the No. 2 Northwestern Wildcats Wednesday in Evanston, Ill.

The Wildcats came out of the gate firing, as Erin Fitzgerald, Kelly Rich and Brooke Matthews all scored within the first six minutes, jumping to a four-goal lead. The Orange answered with 24 minutes remaining in the first as Michelle Tumolo scored her first of three goals – all of which came in the first half. Tumolo also passed Kim Wayne on the SU all-time scoring list, making her the seventh leading scorer of the program.

The Orange managed to pull within two goals in the first half after Tee Ladouceur fed Lindsey Connell with a pass that led to a goal, making it a 6-4 game with 5:59 left in the first half.

However, the Wildcats ended the half scoring three unanswered goals, giving them a 9-4 lead at half.

The Orange started the second half hot, as Ladouceur scored two quick goals. Sarah Holden also contributed by scoring her first of two goals to bring the Orange to within four goals.

Following SU’s run, Northwestern scored three unanswered goals, giving them a 14-7 lead with only 17:51 left in the game.

Catherine Rodriguez and Lauren Welch ignited a three-goal run for the Orange to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 14-10 with 14:59 left, but it was too little too late.

The Orange also kept themselves in the game thanks to the play of goalie Liz Hogan, who recorded 11 saves, making it eight games out of her last 13 where she’s recorded double-digit saves.

In the end though, the Wildcat attack was too much, as Shannon Smith ended the game with six goals, her second six-goal game of the season. Northwestern also dominated face-offs, beating the Orange 22-7 in that category. Wildcats goalie Brianne LoManto recorded 13 saves.

The Wildcats improved to 8-0 on the season with the win and will look to extend their winning streak Saturday at No. 20 Massachusetts.

The Orange fell 2-5 on the season, 1-4 on the road, and 0-5 against ranked opponents with the loss. Syracuse has also been outscored 90-78 on the season and is down 107-72 in the face-offs column. They will look to end their woes Saturday at Rutgers.

Mercyhurst rallies to beat Syracuse, 5-4, in championship game

Syracuse jumped out a to a 2-0 lead over Mercyhurst in the Collegiate Hockey Association championship game, but was outscored 5-2 for the remainder of the game as the Orange lost their 14th straight to the Lakers.

The Syracuse women’s hockey team lost a heartbreaker Saturday to No. 4 Mercyhurst in the Collegiate Hockey Association championship game, 5-4.

The Orange started off strong as team captain Stefanie Marty scored a power play goal four minutes into the game. That was followed by another power play goal scored by Margot Scharfe. The Orange carried that two-goal lead into the second period, and that’s when the Lakers’ offense exploded.

Mercyhurst leading scorer and CHA Tournament Most Valuable Player, Meghan Agosta, scored an unassisted power play goal, followed by another goal assisted by Jess Jones and Jesse Scanzano, shifting the momentum away from the Orange. However, Syracuse regained the lead thanks to All-Tournament forward Isabel Menard’s power play goal.

“It was a great moment for us, and we were right back in there,” Menard said.

With 30 seconds remaining in the second period, Vicki Bendus scored a goal for the Lakers, tying the game at three goals each.

In the third period scored two quick goals to jump out to a 5-3 lead, but Julie Rising responded for the Orange by scoring a power play goal – their fourth of the game. That’s as close as the ‘Cuse would get though, as defenseman Ashley Cockell was sent to the penalty box for holding with 1:19 left in the game.

“I think it was kind of a stupid call,” Cockell said. “I don’t think the call with a minute and a half left was appropriate considering how it was. It wasn’t like I went off and killed somebody. I think it was questionable, I don’t think it was appropriate, but you can’t do too much about it, I guess.”

SU head coach Paul Flanagan also said it was a “garbage” call.

“I went up to the officials after the game, told them they did a good job, told them that I know it isn’t an easy game to call, but I told them that they didn’t need to call that,” Flanagan said. “They were just fighting for the puck.”

The Orange fell to 0-14 against the Lakers after losing the championship for a second straight year, but Menard and Flanagan said they’re going to be ready to win the championship next year.

“We need to keep our momentum and we need to remember today and get it next year,” Menard said. “Next year we’re going to be so hungry for it.”