UConn Falls Short Against No. 15 Syracuse, 13-12

BOX SCORE

STORRS, Conn. (March 26, 2005) – Jacqui Hamilton scored four goals but the University of Connecticut women’s lacrosse team fell a goal short during a furious second half rally in a 13-12 loss to No. 15 Syracuse on Saturday afternoon at the George J. Sherman Family-Sports Complex in Storrs. The loss drops UConn to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in BIG EAST play while the Orange improves to 5-2 on the year and 1-1 in league action. Although UConn dips to 0-8 all-time against the Orange, never has the game been closer than this contest.

Connecticut took a 1-0 lead when Heather McHugh scored from Tracy Mullaney 1:45 into the game. Syracuse scored the next five goals though to take a 5-1 advantage. Monica Joines had two of the goals in this spurt. Unassisted strikes from Tanya Kotowicz and Hamilton would bring UConn back to within a pair of goals at 5-3 with just over eight minutes to play in the half, but the Orange scored the next two goals. Ashley Pike and Allison Furstenburg found the back of the net for the Orange, chasing UConn starting goalkeeper Jennifer Wong at the 24:15 mark after allowing seven goals without making a save. Down 7-3, UConn cut its deficit in half by the half time break on the strength of a goal and an assist by Mullaney. Mullaney would have four points in all on the day (two goals and two assists), leaving her with 172 career points and just one shy of tying the UConn career record of 173 set by Pam Lowie from 1999-2002.

The Orange scored five of the second half’s first seven goals to extend its lead to 12-7 with 15 minutes to play. Courtney Palladino scored twice in the run, both set up by Melody Agnew, who also scored a goal of her own. Joines completed her hat trick while Caitlyn Dragon also tallied for Syracuse. Consistent with their play all season, UConn would not stay down, producing a spirited rally over the next seven minutes that would bring the Huskies to within a goal of tying the game. Kristen Link scored on a free position shot at 46:49, followed by Hamilton goals at 47:41 and 50:10 and an unassisted Shannon Burke strike at 51:52. Syracuse took advantage of a free position opportunity as Jill DePetris scored with 3:41 to play, but Kotowicz would split the Orange defense for a goal with 3:12 to play, making it a 13-12 game. However, after a UConn foul gave Syracuse possession of the ensuing draw, the Orange was able to run out the remainder of the clock to secure the win.

Kristen Haldeman took the loss for UConn in relief of Wong, making a pair of saves and allowing six goals over 35:45. Jen Kasel went the distance in the Orange cage, making 10 saves.

UConn returns to action on Friday, April 1 when the Huskies put their seven-game road winning streak on the line at Notre Dame. UConn will go from there to Chicago to face No.1 Northwestern on Sunday, April 3, in Evanston.