COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Vaulted by junior Taylor Cummings' seven points and six draw controls, the No. 1 Maryland women's lacrosse team (5-0) defeated No. 5 Syracuse (5-2), 10-7, Saturday afternoon at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.
"This is a good win for us," said head coach Cathy Reese. "It's a good win against a really strong Syracuse team. Overall, our shooting was not particularly good, but we were able to push the ball a little bit and get some good opportunities. I thought defensively, we played pretty well."
Cummings' points came on six goals and one assist. Erin Collins scored twice, and Kristen Lamon and Megan Whittle also added goals.
Collins scored first at 29:11 before the Orange tied the game at 28:01 off a free-position shot. Cummings and Whittle each tallied goals to give the Terps a 3-1 lead. Collins scored her second of the game off an assist from Zoe Stukenberg at 11:06. The Orange scored twice more in the first half, but two goals from Cummings and one from Lamon gave the Terps a 7-3 advantage going into halftime.
Syracuse came out strong in the second half as Kayla Treanor rattled off three straight goals in just under six minutes to make it a one-goal game. The Orange nearly tied it as a shot went past Alex Fitzpatrick, but the stick was ruled illegal and Syracuse turned the ball over.
The Terps used the momentum swing as Cummings ran from midfield and scored to give Maryland a two-goal lead. The Orange managed to make it a one-goal game again, but Cummings finished two more shots to give Maryland a 10-7 advantage at 12:03. The Terps were able to hold onto the ball for most of the remaining time, and Maryland took the win over Syracuse.
Maryland moves to 17-1 all-time against the Orange. The Terps held a 30-20 shots advantage and an 11-8 lead in draw controls. Syracuse had 15 turnovers compared to Maryland's eight, and the Orange also recorded four yellow cards.
Nadine Hadnagy led the Terps with three ground balls. Cummings caused two turnovers in the contest.
Fitzpatrick made eight saves in her fifth straight start.
The Terps travel to Towson Wednesday, March 11, for a 7 p.m. game before hosting No. Florida Satuday at noon.
-Maryland-
