Syracuse Wins Sixth Straight, Rolls Over Virginia Tech
After a slow start and a defensive battle, #2 Syracuse continued their winning ways against ACC opponent Virginia Tech. The Orange came out swinging in the second quarter with six scores and keeping the Hokies out of the net for most of the game.
On their end of the field, the Orange locked down Virginia Tech’s best scorers in a defensive masterclass. Senior Delaney Sweitzer had another breakout performance with 15 saves, six forced turnovers and two ground balls. She only allowed five goals on the day on 25 total shots from the Hokies, 20 of which were on goal. Six of Sweitzer’s saves were recorded in the first quarter alone.
“Delaney had one of the best individual performances I’ve seen from her this year,” said Syracuse head coach Kayla Treanor. “You can’t ask a player to play better than that.”
Bianca Chevarie stacked the stat sheet with six ground balls and three forced turnovers, allowing fellow defenders Superia Clark and Kate Goodale to make Virginia Tech’s time on offense a battle.
The offense started out sluggish with only two goals on four shots for the Orange, and the Hokies were maintaining possession for most of the first 15 minutes. However, after the Tyrell sisters scored a goal each in the first four minutes of the second quarter, the offense found their rhythm and stayed dominant. Even after the Hokies struck first in the third and responded to a three-goal Syracuse run with two straight of their own, the defense never cracked and the offense stayed in control of the game.
Meaghan Tyrell recorded a five-goal performance with two assists, and Emma Ward was everywhere, dishing out four assists and recording two goals of her own. Emma Tyrell also had a hat trick on the day to round out the Syracuse scoring party.
The Orange stay at the #2 spot and improve to 6-0, 2-0 in ACC play. They get set to host Notre Dame on Saturday, March 11. The Hokies fall to 1-4 and 0-2 in ACC play, as they travel to Elon University for a midweek Wednesday matchup.