The ninth-ranked Syracuse Orange used a dominant defensive effort to punch their ticket to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with an 8-6 win over the Loyola Greyhounds on Friday. Syracuse improved to 14-5 while Loyola finished its season 12-8.
Syracuse held Loyola to its fewest goals in two seasons and never trailed after grabbing control early. Caroline Trinkaus opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game before Mackenzie Rich answered Loyola’s lone first-quarter goal to give the Orange a lead they would never surrender.
The Orange built a 4-1 advantage midway through the second quarter behind goals from Emma Muchnick and Mileena Cotter. Loyola briefly cut the deficit to two, but Syracuse answered every push the Greyhounds made throughout the afternoon.
Trinkaus led the offense with a hat trick, including two key third-quarter goals that helped Syracuse carry a 6-3 lead into the final period. Cotter added two goals and an assist, while Molly Guzik scored in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory.
The Syracuse defense overwhelmed Loyola all afternoon, forcing 22 turnovers, including 16 caused turnovers. All-Americans Coco Vandiver and Izzy Lahah anchored the effort with four and three caused turnovers, respectively.
Goalkeeper Daniella Guyette added six saves as the Orange nearly doubled Loyola in shots on goal, 22-12. Loyola netminder Kennedy Buntrock kept the Greyhounds within striking distance with 14 saves.
The win marked Syracuse’s seventh straight trip to the NCAA Tournament second round and gave first-year head coach Regy Thorpe his first postseason victory with the program.
Syracuse advances to face sixth-seeded Navy on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].