FH : Syracuse’s season ends with loss to Maryland in NCAA tournament
Syracuse scored in the closing minutes of regulation to force overtime, but fell to Maryland 2-1 Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The loss marks the third straight season in which the Orange’s national title hopes ended in the national quarterfinals.
‘It was a really hard fought game, and it’s a shame that Syracuse came out on the short end of the stick,’ SU head coach Ange Bradley said in an email to The Daily Orange.
No. 3 Syracuse (19-4, 5-1 Big East) pulled away late to beat Richmond (16-7, 5-1 Atlantic-10) 2-0 in Saturday’s opening-round matchup, but couldn’t get past the No. 4 Terrapins in front of 295 on Sunday in College Park, Md. The Orange put up a commendable fight, but fell short, failing to reach the final four for the third consecutive season.
After UMD freshman forward Katie Gerzabek put the Terrapins on the board in the 56th minute, SU junior forward Kelsey Millman tallied her 19th goal of the season to tie the game 1-1.
Millman cleaned up Heather Susek’s miss, beating goalkeeper Melissa Vassalotti for the equalizer in the 63rd minute.
After regulation expired with neither team able to pocket a second score, the teams began a 15-minute, sudden death overtime period.
With just 1:34 left in the period, the Terrapins earned a penalty corner — their seventh of the game.
Gerzabek swung the ball in to junior defender Harriet Tibble, who took it herself, sending a shot through a crowded shooting circle and past junior goalkeeper Leann Stiver to bring the Orange’s tournament run to a screeching halt.
For Syracuse’s four seniors, including Susek, the defeat ended their collegiate careers. Bradley was disheartened by the result of Sunday’s game, but appreciated all the hard work and dedication the upperclassmen put in.
‘I am proud of my kids, and I would like to thank our seniors for leading us to this level of play,’ Bradley said. ‘I appreciate everything they have done for Syracuse.’
Published on November 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1
