Baltimore -- The Loyola University Maryland women's lacrosse team scored four unanswered goals in the third quarter to tie the game at 11-11, but Syracuse University scored three of the last four goals of the game, as they held on for the 14-12 non-conference win.
The Greyhounds (5-5 overall, 2-0 Patriot League) came out of halftime trailing 11-7, but
Mim Suares-Jury began the Loyola run, as she scored her 12th goal of the season with 12:55 remaining in the third.
Two minutes later,
Emma Talago dodged right before shooting high-to-low, as Loyola cut their deficit down to two goals.
Gabby Stapleton followed up with 7:45 minutes remaining in the third quarter, as she dodged her defender to the left, before tip-toeing the crease before her low shot went in for the goal, as Loyola now trailed by one.
After a four minute scoring draught for both teams,
Olivia Blanding tied the game on a highlight-reel behind the back goal, assisted by Suares-Jury, as the Greyhounds tied the game with 3:27 left in the fourth quarter.
The Orange (6-4 overall, 2-2 ACC) retook the lead late in the fourth, as Joely Caramelli scored for Syracuse as they led 12-11 heading into the fourth quarter.
Loyola tied it up once again just 11 seconds into the quarter, as Latch won the draw, before racing down the field before finding
Ava Kane, who fired it in to tie the game at 12-12.
The game remained tied for just under a minute, as Syracuse's Emma Muchnick retook the lead for the Orange.
From there, both defenses stepped up, as both teams combined to be held scoreless over the next seven and a half minutes. The Orange broke the draught with a goal off of a free-position, as they led by two goals with six minutes remaining.
Loyola drew a Syracuse penalty for their first player-up opportunity, but shots from
Chase Boyle and
Elisa Faklaris went high, as Syracuse held Loyola on the opportunity.
On the ensuing possession,
Lauren Spence came up with a big save, but Loyola could not capitalize on the next possession, as Syracuse held off the second half rally and won 12-10.
Georgia Latch led the team with four points (two goals, two assists), while Suares-Jury and Stapleton each had two goals and one assist each.
Elisa Faklaris had two goals, while four other players recorded a goal on the game.
Loyola once again controlled the draw circle as they won the battle 19-10, including 11 draws coming from
Chase Boyle. Syracuse took advantage of their player-up opportunities on the night, as they finished 4-7 on player-up opportunities on the night.
Lauren Spence had another big night in goal, as she recorded 13 saves, including 8 saves coming in the second half. Spence now has recorded double-digit saves in four straight games, and six of her last seven games.
Emma Muchnick led Syracuse with five goals on the night. Emma Ward tied a season-low with just two points for the Orange.
Loyola will continue Patriot League play on Saturday, as they will travel up to Hamilton, New York to face Colgate.
