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Entering the Final Four, Syracuse had displayed a complete brand of lacrosse throughout the NCAA Tournament. The Orange outscored or tied their opponents in every quarter of their first-round win over Stony Brook and their second-round victory over Yale.

Turning to face Boston College, continuing to put together complete games would be crucial for Syracuse. But after taking a 2-1 lead, SU’s offense fell silent as it went on multiple scoring droughts. Despite a late scoring run in the fourth quarter, Syracuse could not overcome its uneven play as it fell to BC.

Here are some observations from No. 3 seed Syracuse’s (16-6, 8-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) 10-7 loss to No. 2 seed Boston College (19-3, 7-2 ACC) in the NCAA Tournament semifinals:

Syracuse’s 1st-quarter defense

The Eagles’ first possession of the game ended without getting a shot off. After assisting on Syracuse’s first goal of the game, Hallie Simkins clamped down on the defensive end to take the ball away from Mckenna Davis. Just over a minute later, Natalie Smith caused SU’s second turnover.

With the game tied 1-1, Boston College’s Rachel Clark was granted a free-position shot, but SU goalie Delaney Sweitzer walled up for her first save of the game. The stop led to an Emma Ward score on the other end as Syracuse retook the lead 2-1.

As the Eagles looked to respond, their offense struggled on two straight possessions. Simkins caused her second turnover in the first seven minutes. Then, less than a minute later, Coco Vandiver took the ball away from Davis.

Sweitzer flashed more superb defensive play near the two-minute mark of the first quarter, stopping back-to-back shots, including a strike from point-blank range by Kayla Martello. BC’s offense was held to three first-quarter goals after scoring at least six goals in the first quarter of each of its previous two games.

BC dominates ground balls early

Boston College created an early four-goal cushion behind its fierce play on ground balls. After winning the ground ball battle 6-4 in the first 15 minutes, it ended the first quarter with a 3-2 lead.

The Eagles began to pull away early in the second quarter behind strong play on ground balls. BC won the first four ground balls of the quarter, leading it to score three goals in the first six minutes to extend its lead to 6-2.

As Syracuse was beaten to ground balls, its defense showed frustration as it was called for two yellow cards. BC kept its momentum on ground balls, not allowing SU to get one until the 5:24 mark of the second quarter.

SU’s offense was kickstarted after two straight goals by Smith and Adamson midway through the second quarter, and at the same time, BC’s offense stalled. Though, Belle Smith won two of the final three ground balls before halftime to keep the Orange quiet. After 30 minutes, BC led the ground ball battle 12-6.

SU offense silenced early and late

After two goals in the first six minutes of the first quarter, Syracuse went on an 18-minute scoring drought. During the scoreless stretch, BC went on a 5-0 run to take a 6-2 lead.

Emma Tyrrell, who had nine points against Yale, recorded zero points in the first quarter. Tyrrell tallied three shots in the first fifteen minutes but landed only one on target, missing the other two wide.

SU’s other scoring options were slowed too. At the 9:15 mark of the second quarter, SU worked the ball to Ward at X, but she fell to the ground as Becky Browndorf applied pressure and took the ball away. The drought did not end until Smith scored at the 6:47 mark of the second quarter, but Boston College had already created an early advantage to make SU play from behind.

Syracuse scored two goals toward the end of the second quarter to enter halftime down 6-4, but its offensive struggles continued into the second half as it turned the ball over twice in the first five minutes of the third quarter.

SU was held to just three shots on goal in the third, but it was held scoreless in the frame. BC goalie Shea Dolce stepped up for five straight saves. As SU fell cold for the second extended stretch of the game, BC grew a 9-4 lead, before Syracuse’s scoreless drought ended at 24 minutes when Smith scored at the 11:51 mark of the fourth quarter.

Tyrrell held scoreless

Tyrrell entered the game leading SU with 70 goals and 91 points. Yet from the start, BC made it difficult for Tyrrell to operate.

It took over five minutes into the first quarter before Tyrrell tallied her first shot. The strike landed on the cage, but Dolce stopped the shot. Ward had just given SU a 2-1 lead, and Tyrrell was looking for a quick score off a draw-control win, but BC created a difficult look on net for Tyrrell.

Tyrrell’s next look came at the 6:46 mark of the first quarter, but the attempt sailed wide left. Over the next five minutes, Tyrrell was eliminated from SU’s offense as other players had to step up to score. Maddy Baxter and Ward received looks near the three-minute mark, but both shots were off-target.

By halftime, Tyrrell tallied four shots but didn’t score a point. The Eagles continued to silence Tyrrell, forcing her into two turnovers in the third quarter and just one shot on goal. At the 10:17 mark of the fourth quarter, Tyrrell tallied her first point, an assist to Gracie Britton during a 3-0 SU run. But as Syracuse looked for a late push, Tyrrell was forced into her third turnover and SU’s season ended with her falling scoreless.

Published on May 24, 2024 at 9:58 pm

Contact Timmy at: tswilcox@syr.edu | @TimmyWilcox32