Syracuse Tops Army in High-Scoring Affair

Thursday, August 24

West Point

7 p.m.

Army West Point

1-1-1

Syracuse

2-0-1

Syracuse

Army West Point

Syracuse Tops Army in High-Scoring Affair

August 24, 2017 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point women's soccer team was handed its first defeat of the 2017 season as Syracuse recorded a 3-2 decision here Thursday night at Clinton Field.

The Black Knights dropped to 1-1-1, while the Orange improved to 2-0-1.

Syracuse did not waste any time offensively, scoring 0:48 into the match. Alex Lamontagne scored the first goal of the game off a pass by Eva Gordon that was placed perfectly between two defenders. The shot was initially blocked by Army goalkeeper Sydney Cassalia, but was hit with so much top spin that it rolled into the net.

Army evened the score at the 26-minute mark when a hand ball by a 'Cuse defender inside the box presented an opportunity for a penalty kick, which senior co-captain Clare Shea buried to tie the game. The Orange would strike quickly once again, however, as 38 seconds later they retook the lead on a goal by Georgia Allen. The assist was credited to Lamontagne who set up the play with a cross from the right side.

Not to be outdone, rookie Lizzie Harper made her presence felt in the 34th minute when she netted the first goal of her collegiate career to knot the match at two apiece. After receiving a pass from Shea, Harper was able to navigate past a pair of Syracuse defenders and bury a shot past the keeper.

The Black Knights entered the locker room tied with Syracuse, despite shots favoring the Orange, 8-5.

Syracuse came out aggressively to start the second half, earning a quality scoring chance in the 46th minute when Lamontagne sent a low cross through the goal mouth and just out of reach of Kate Hostage. The Orange took their third lead of the game in the 57th minute when a lob from midfield by Taylor Bennett made its way to Hostage in the box who provided the goal.

Another opportunity for the visiting squad came in the 71st minute when tic-tac-toe passing by Gordon and Lamontagne set up Alana O'Neill on the edge of the six-yard box. With hardly any net to shoot at, O'Neill fired a shot high after trying to pick the top right corner.

Army was determined to pressure the Orange in the final 20 minutes of the contest, generating multiple looks at goal. The best of those opportunities came when Madison McGinn crossed the ball into the far side of the box for Erynn Johns who nearly put it away.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

The Black Knights dropped to 2-3 in the all-time series with Syracuse.
Rookie goalkeeper Sydney Cassalia was kept busy tonight, making a season-high five saves.
First-year Lizzie Harper scored her first-career goal.
Senior co-captain Clare Shea posted a season-high three points in the match, becoming the first Cadet of 2017 to record a goal and an assist in a game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Syracuse opened the scoring 48 seconds into the game with a goal from Alex Lamontagne. She finished her run after Eva Gordon threaded a pass through the Army defense.
A handball inside the box at the 26-minute mark by the Orange gave Army a penalty shot which was converted by Chare Shea.
At 26:38, Georgia Allen put Syracuse back on top after taking a cross from Lamontagne.
Lizzie Harper brought Army back even once again at 33:28 in the first half when she dribbled past a pair of Syracuse defenders and buried her first-career goal.
After halftime, Kate Hostage controlled a lob from Taylor Bennett at midfield in the box and gave the Orange their final lead of the evening.

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