Lacrosse splits weekend after hard-fought OT loss to Syracuse

Despite a late lead, the fifth-ranked Northwestern Wildcats (4-1) dropped their first game of the season at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. The seventh-ranked Orange (4-1), whose only loss on the season came at the hands of No. 1 Boston College, pulled out the victory on a deflected golden goal in overtime to end a nail-biting contest from start to finish.

Selena Lasota, after missing last week’s game against Duke, was back, though limited, against Syracuse. She tallied only two goals in an evenly distributed offensive performance, but had the potential game-winner late in regulation ring off the crossbar before turning the ball over on the first possession of overtime.

After the opening draw, The Orange struck first, and went on to control the entire first half. Despite an edge in draw controls, and two impressive goals (one was scored a woman down) from first-year Izzy Scane, the Wildcats trailed 9-6 as the half neared its close.

Lasota and Lauren Gilbert, the sophomore currently leading the team in goals scored with 16, found the back of the net in the half’s final two minutes to cut the deficit to one. And after Syracuse went up 12-9 early in the second half, the defense, which has been downright porous for much of the nascent season, locked down.

A shorthanded goal from Mary Rahal with 23:06 remaining in regulation was the Orange’s last goal until there were nearly five minutes on the clock. In that span, Julie Krupnick made five saves, the Wildcat defense forced four turnovers, and Northwestern stormed back to take a 14-12 lead.

But despite late Northwestern draw controls, Syracuse managed to force overtime. And after Lasota’s missed chances, a shot from the Orange deflected off of Jill Girard past Julie Krupnick, earning Syracuse a golden goal, 15-14 overtime win.

In addition to Gilbert, Scane, and Lasota, Lindsey McKone scored two goals in the contest. Krupnick made 14 saves, including nine in the second half and overtime despite allowing just six goals in that span. And Scane, alongside Brenna Dwyer, led the Wildcats to a 20-11 draw control advantage.

Against Canisius to close out their road trip yesterday, Northwestern took out some of their frustrations, jumping on the Griffins with a 13-3 first half. The Wildcats closed things out with their fourth 20-goal performance of the season and a 20-6 win.

Claire Quinn, McKone, and Lasota each achieved hat tricks, with the latter earning three assists as well in a full return to form. Krupnick tallied six saves in the first half before ceding her spot to backups Mallory Weisse and (eventually) Madison Doucette.

Next, Northwestern will head to Chapel Hill for a Saturday showdown with the third-ranked Tar Heels.