The stage was set for Syracuse to play its final game in the Carrier Dome against Maryland. It was 29 degrees and mostly cloudy in central New York around game time. Only the Orange were riding a bus down to College Park, Maryland instead. 

On Thursday night, it was announced both SU’s senior day and alumni weekend were being canceled due to “weather and travel concerns” from the Terrapins. Over the next two days, no snow accumulated in Syracuse. Still, Maryland chose not to travel. 

“We want to apologize for the inconvenience this causes our loyal fans, including the parents of our student-athletes and women’s lacrosse alumni,” Syracuse Athletic Director John Wildhack said in a statement on Feb. 27. 

So, No. 4 Syracuse (6-1) played No. 9 Maryland (1-3), 365 miles away from home. Syracuse won, 10-5, defeating the defending national champions for the first time since 2012 and the second time in school history. Senior Emily Hawryschuk led the way with five goals, including the 200th score of her career. 

At the start of the game, it was 34 degrees and cloudy with a wind chill that made it feel like the lower 20s. There were no broadcasters available to call the game on such short notice for the Big Ten Network. On the broadcast, the audio featured commentary provided by fans and players, with the PA announcer occasionally interjecting. 

On the field in the first half, it was all Orange. Meaghan Tyrrell opened the scoring with an assist from Hawryschuk just over two minutes into the game. The goal was set up by what was the first of 13 successful clears on 13 attempts in the first period. 

Then it was Hawryschuk, taking a pass at the left block and then working her way closer to the crease. She faked before bouncing a shot in as she was shoved to the turf, giving SU a 2-0 lead nine minutes in. 

Sierra Cockerille added her 11th of the season to put the Orange up 3-0 midway through the first. Then, with just under 10 minutes to play, Hawryschuk deposited her second on the man-advantage to give Syracuse a 4-0 lead going into halftime.

In the second, the Terrapins began to show signs of life, aided by unforced turnovers by the Orange. Hannah Warther scored to make it 4-1, but Tyrrell recorded her second of the game on a free-position shot to bring the lead back to four a minute later. 

Cockerille lost the ball on SU’s ensuing attack, and Maryland took it back to their end to set up the first of three-straight goals over the next seven minutes. After the goal, SU goalie Asa Goldstock — who had turned the ball over twice with errant passes during this UMD run — gathered her teammates together and tried to find the words to get her defensive unit to refocus. 

Evidently, it worked, as Syracuse allowed just one more goal over the final 19 minutes of the game. Goldstock finished with eight saves, giving her 507 for her career. She is just the second SU goalie to eclipse the 500-mark. 

On offense, SU was patient, keeping possession and time on their side. Hawryschuk earned a hat trick with a free-position shot then netted her 200th 2 1/2 minutes later to put SU ahead 7-5. 

Megan Carney provided some insurance with seven minutes to play, then junior Sam Swart knifed right through the Maryland defense to deliver the dagger and put Syracuse up 9-5 with four minutes left. 

Hawryschuk capped the Orange’s scoring with her fifth score to make it 10-5, and the celebration was on. A swarm of navy jerseys poured onto the field as the final whistle sounded, congratulating their teammates and their senior leaders in particular, the ones who should’ve been honored yesterday. 

In the first week of the season, SU senior midfielder Mary Rahal knew this senior day game was going to be “electric.” As the Orange handed Maryland its first three-game losing streak since 2006, it still was. Even though they weren’t in the Dome. 

Published on February 29, 2020 at 3:17 pm

Contact Tim: tnolan@syr.edu