Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Syracuse
Princeton and Syracuse Battle in First Round of NCAA Tournament
May 09, 2018 | Women's Lacrosse
| NCAA First Round: No. 12 Princeton vs. No. 19 Syracuse | |
| Game Time | Friday, May 11 at 4 p.m. l Newton Campus Lacrosse & Soccer Field |
| Game Coverage | WatchESPNÂ l Live Stats |
| Series Info | Series Tied 1-1 |
| Princeton | Roster l Schedule l Stats l @princetonwlax l 12-5 l Game Notes |
| Syracuse | Roster l Schedule l Stats l @Cusewlax l l 9-9Â |
EYE ON THE TIGERS
Princeton is ranked No. 12 in the latest national poll after winning the Ivy League Tournament Championship to improve to 12-5 on the season. The Tigers have won the last six games and have been tabbed by Inside Lacrosse as one of the hottest teams in country. The last two Princeton losses, both to ranked squads, were by just one goal. The Tigers average 15.06 goals per game (18th best in the NCAA) and take an average of 35 shots per game (9th in the NCAA). They convert on 48.3 percent of their free-positions shots (14th nationally) and clear at a rate of 92 percent. Freshman Kyla Sears leads the offense with 78 points on 60 goals and 18 assists. Sophomore Tess D'Orsi adds 50 points, tallying 38 goals and 12 helpers while junior Elizabeth George has 44 points with 38 coming from goals. Senior Ellie McNulty chips in 36 points and junior Kathryn Hallett has 31. Freshman Marge Donovan and McNulty combine for 51 percent of the team's draws with 64 and 59, respectively. Junior defender Alex Argo boasts a team-high 21 caused turnovers and has 29 ground balls, second on the team behind Donovan's 34. In goal, freshman Sam Fish is 9-3 with the 10th best save percentage in the nation at .506 save percentage while having a 10.25 goals against average.
THE SERIES
Princeton and Syracuse met for the first time last year with the Tigers winning a 16-11 game. This season the Orange took a 17-16 game in Princeton. It was that Syracuse game that Princeton utilized all three goaltenders before Sam Fish locked down the starting spot in the next game. Princeton and Boston College have never met before.
SCOUTING THE ORANGE
Syracuse earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 9-9 overall record, with the fourth toughest schedule this season. With a 1-6 record in the ACC the Orange were knocked out of the ACC Tournament by North Carolina 21-12. That game was on April 26, leaving a two-week gap without competition for the squad. The Orange offense is led by Emily Hawryschuk who has 53 goals and eight assists for 61 goals. Nicole Levy has 48 points on 38 goals and 10 assists, while Riley Donahue has 45 points with 25 goals and a team-high 20 assists. More than half of the draw controls won by the team are from Neena Merola, Julie Cross and Kerry Defliece, who each have more than 40 apiece. Ella Simkins, Alexa Radziewicz and Defliese are the team's leader in caused turnovers. Asa Goldstock has started all 18 games in goal and has a 14.76 goals against average and a .440 save percentage.
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