With a roster as stacked as that of Syracuse women’s lacrosse, some players -- even starters -- are overlooked. One such quiet-but-consistent contributor is freshman Emma Ward, who had a breakout game in No. 2 Syracuse’s 15-5 win over No. 11 Duke.
She started getting into a rhythm last week, putting up three assists against Stony Brook after being blanked by Loyola. But with fellow attacker Emily Hawryschuk out due to injury, Ward seized the opportunity for better positioning and more playing time, and it paid off instantly.
Not only did Ward score her first career goal in Saturday’s game, but she added goals two through four as well. She finished Saturday’s game with five points off four goals and an assist.
>> Box score
But Ward’s contributions extend beyond the scoreboard. She played a part in several of the Orange’s 15 goals despite be credited with only one assist. She acted as a decoy on Emily Ehle’s first career goal with Syracuse, and she often was one of the last passes before a goal was scored.
Ward’s quick transition to college play could be in part to playing alongside Megan Carney. With Hawryschuk out, Ward and Carney usually play the ball on the same side of the net, and there is a connection between the two on the field that has quickly made them a dynamic duo. Ward’s only assist of the game came from a Carney goal.
Ward proved she’s a gritty player with lots of room to grow – and the time to do it, with at least three more seasons left to play. There’s something to be said about a player who refuses to stop going after the ball even when she loses her shoe in the turf, as she did in this game.
Several other players made an impact in the Syracuse win. As expected, Sam Swart and Carney each contributed two goals. If there’s a one-timer in lacrosse, Swart had it, sending the ball into the back of the net immediately after receiving a pass from Sierra Cockerille. Meaghan Tyrrell, who already played a significant role in Syracuse’s dominant scoring through two games, added five goals and an assist.
Asa Goldstock remained an unshakable force between the pipes. Syracuse’s first ACC matchup is the first time Goldstock has been consistently challenged by her opponents, but the fifth-year goaltender stopped several shots up close.
Syracuse moved to 3-0 this season and allowed the fewest number of goals all season. On the sideline, coach Gary Gait picked up his 200th career win, all of them with the Orange.
Syracuse returns home for a two-game series against Notre Dame, who was ranked No. 4 prior to Saturday. The Orange will play the first game against the Fighting Irish on Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m.
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The Link LonkMarch 07, 2021 at 03:10AM
https://www.syracuse.com/orangewomen/2021/03/emma-ward-helps-syracuse-womens-lacrosse-open-acc-play-with-easy-win-over-duke.html
Emma Ward helps Syracuse women’s lacrosse open ACC play with easy win over Duke - syracuse.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=easy&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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