In the second match-up between the Golden Griffins women's lacrosse team and No. 3 Syracuse, the Blue and Gold were unable to overcome 11 first half goals by the home team, leading to a 19-7 loss for the defending MAAC Champions.
With the loss, Canisius falls to 0-2 on the season with both losses coming at the hands of the in-state opponent, while Syracuse improves to 3-0.
Canisius was led offensively by junior Ashley Bull and freshman Lauren Smolensky. Both players scored a team-leading two goals on three shots and Bull recorded three draw-controls and one ground ball.
The three other goals from the Griffs came from last week's MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Tori Quinn (one goal, three ground balls, one caused turnover), the MAAC Rookie of the Week, freshman Erica Evans (one goal, one caused turnover) and another freshman, Allie Stewart (one goal, one ground-ball).
Five of the Griffs seven goals came in the first half of the game, while the Orange scored 11 in the first and eight in the second to hand the Griffs their second loss.
"We did a really good job in the first half today, getting the score within one (6-5) and causing Syracuse to take a time-out, but after that things started to unravel for us," said head coach Scott Teeter. "If we want to be able to play at the highest level, we need to eliminate our mistakes."
Senior Kayla Scully (0-2) received the start in goal for Canisius and the goalkeeper gave up six goals in 12:53 of action. Scully would get pulled after the sixth goal and freshman Rebecca VanLaeken entered the game, playing the final 47:07, making seven saves along the way.
"Getting Rebecca in their to compete against a nationally ranked team was great for us. She made some great saves and tried to keep us in the game and it was nice to see that from our freshman goalkeeper," said Teeter.
Syracuse was led by Kayla Treanor who scored four goals, including three in the first half and Riley Donahue also added three of her own for the Orange.
The next game for Canisius will be agaisnt nationally ranked Louisville, as the Griffs travel to Lousiville, Ky., on Saturday, Feb. 21.
