No. 5 Syracuse Tops No. 18 Women's Lacrosse

Wednesday, February 14

Syracuse, NY

4:00 PM

Army West Point

0-2

Syracuse University

1-1

ARMY

Syracuse

No. 5 Syracuse Tops No. 18 Women's Lacrosse

February 14, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

SYRACUSE, NY - No. 18 Army West Point women's lacrosse was defeated by a score of 18-7 to the No. 5 Syracuse Orange (1-1) on Wednesday afternoon from the JMA Wireless Dome.

It marked Army's first-ever fixture with a team from the ACC and with a program ranked in the top-five nationally. The game also marked Army's first ever road loss againt an in-state opponent, having gone 11-0 in previous such scenarios. Army will have a chance to begin another streak on Saturday at Siena.

The game also marked a homecoming for Noto Family Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Michelle Tumolo, who was a Tewaaraton Award finalist during her playing career with Syracuse which saw her reach three final fours with the Orange.

Brigid Duffy led the Army with four goals as the only Black Knight to register multiple points in the game, while also securing a team-high four draw controls, a team-best two ground balls and causing a team-high two turnovers.

The home side got off to a fast-paced start, scoring four times in the opening five minutes to take a 4-0 lead early on. The Black Knights got on the board midway through the first, with Madeline Lenkart finding Carleigh Armstrong who slammed home her third goal of the season from close range. Syracuse pulled away with three more before Gabrielle Mirak converted from the eight-meter, as the Orange eventually lead 8-2 after one quarter of play despite Army having the draw advantage 6-5.

Army's offense continued to struggle in the second frame, turning the ball over four times while firing just four shots in the frame. Army's lone goal came from Duffy, who took the ball from midfield on a break and beat her defender on-on-one before firing in her second of the campaign. Eventually outshooting Army 22-8 in the first half, Syracuse took a 13-3 lead into halftime.

Army came out a new team in the second half, holding firm defensively which saw the Orange score just twice in the third quarter after the 13-goal barrage in the opening half hour. Anderson Strange made her collegiate debut in the cage to begin the second half, as classmates Jackie Braceland and Ryan Remaly also made their first appearances with the Black Knights. Army's first of the frame came from another unassisted tally from Duffy in transition, as Allison Reilly got on the scoresheet less than two minutes later with a woman-up goal.

The Orange took a 15-5 lead into the fourth quarter after an even third frame, with Duffy depositing the next goal off a feed from Lily Valentini in traffic. Duffy's fourth goal matched the game-high with Syracuse's Natalie Smith and Payton Rowley as the Orange saw out the eventual 18-7 home-opening win.

Game Notes

Brigid Duffy logged a game-high four goals while securing four draw controls for Army.
It marks the seventh career game with four-plus goals for Duffy.
Gabrielle Mirak, Carleigh Armstrong and Allison Reilly each have scored in consecutive games to open the season along with Duffy.
Haley Kampert caused a pair of turnovers while grabbing two ground balls.
Madeline Lenkart matched a team-best with four draw controls while assisting on the opening goal.
Plebes Anderson Strange, Ryan Remaly and Jackie Braceland each saw their first action in an Army uniform.
Army outshot the Orange 15-9 in the second half.
Syracuse held the draw control advantage 16-11.