Box Score
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Cornell cut a six-goal deficit to one in the second half, but No. 18 Syracuse pulled away again as the Orange took a 13-9 victory on Tuesday evening at the Carrier Dome. The Big Red fell to 5-8, while SU improved to 8-7.
It was a strong effort by both goalkeepers, with Cornell's Kyla Dambach keeping the visitors in the game throughout and Syracuse's Liz Hogan making stops at several key junctures to give the home team the win. Dambach ended the night with 10 saves, including six in the first half, while Hogan had 11 saves, three ground balls and a caused turnover.
Caroline Salisbury had three goals to lead Cornell, while Katie Kirk scored twice. Four other players scored once apiece, including Shannon McHugh. McHugh added four draw wins and three ground balls. The Big Red were outshot 31-24, but forced four failed clears.
Syracuse jumped out to leads of 6-0, 7-1 and 8-2 before the Big Red rallied. Three straight goals to end the first half and two more to start the second got Cornell within 8-7, but the Big Red couldn't get the equalizer. The Orange built the lead back up with Cross proving to be difficult to guard, scoring her fourth goal of the night with 6:16 left to extend the lead to 13-8.
The Orange bounced out to a 6-0 lead, then saw Cornell rally to within 8-5 at the half thanks in large part to six point-blank saves by Dambach in the first 30 minutes. Her play allowed Cornell to stay in the game despite Syracuse's dominance on the draw. The Orange's 11-3 edge on the re-starts allowed the home team to dominate possession and keep a tired Big Red defense on the field.
Five different Big Red players scored in the first 30 minutes, with McHugh scoring a goal and winning all three draws for the team, as well as three ground balls.
Cornell got on the board with the first two goals of the second half to get within 8-7 on a rocket shot by Kelly Lang and two early saves by Dambach. Kirk also tallied to open the second half. SU pushed its lead back to two when Ladouceur found Cross with 18:59 left in the contest and extended the lead to as many as five (13-8) before Salisbury scored with 1:46 left to cap the night.
The Big Red closes out the 2011 season when it plays host to No. 2 Florida on Senior Day at Schoellkopf Field. The first draw will take place at noon.
