Box Score PDF
HAMILTON, N.Y. – Syracuse University scored twice in the opening minutes of the second half to blow open a close game en route to a 4-0 victory against UMass Lowell in a non-conference match, Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Colgate Nike Classic, at Beyer-Small '76 Field in Hamilton, N.Y.
The loss drops the River Hawks under the .500 mark with a record of 2-3-0. Syracuse, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, improves to 2-1-2. The ACC is the top ranked women's soccer conference in the country according to BennettRank.com. Neither school has yet begun conference play. The match was the first ever athletic competition between the schools.
Syracuse dominated from the start constantly pressuring the River Hawk backline and crowding the net front on several opportunities. It paid off in the 28th minute. Junior Jackie Frienze found the back of the net, drilling the ball into the upper right corner from 30 yards out on the left side.
UMass Lowell was down by a goal after 45-minutes, but it may have felt like a more. The River Hawks had been outshot, 11-0 in the half. Seven of the Orange shots were on goal, but senior goalkeeper
Jill Carlson (Lexington, Mass.) stood strong, making six saves, several of the spectacular variety. An offside whistle also nullified what appeared to be a second Orange goal.
Little changed after the break except the Syracuse side of the scoreboard. The Orange added to its lead with two goals before the half was five minutes old. Stephanie Skilton scored twice in less than three-minute putting thoughts of a come back on indefinite leave. Alex Lamontagne made it 4-0 with a goal in the 65th minute.
Syracuse outshot UMass Lowell, 23-4 overall, with an on target edge of 14-1. Carlson made ten saves, MacKenzie Morantz, guarding the Syracuse net, made one save. The Orange had all of the game's five corner kicks.
After a day off, the River Hawks will be back at it on Sunday, September 7th at 2 P.M., when they match up with tournament host Colgate University. UMass Lowell will not return to the Cushing Field Complex until they host Holy Cross on September 17th at 7P.M.
