The second half wasn’t a peak Syracuse performance, but the Orange had built a large enough lead to weather the storm.

Notre Dame might have made the score close in an 18-14 loss at the Carrier Dome Thursday night, but Syracuse controlled this game from the jump.

Sierra Cockerille scored five times with two assists and Meaghan Tyrrell added three goals and two assists as No. 2 Syracuse built a lead as a large as 15-6 on Jenny Markey’s feed to Bianca Chevarie with 24:07 left to play. The Orange led 10-6 at halftime.

Morgan Alexander’s got fakes.

The @CuseWLAX offense is humming, leading 10-6 on @NDWomensLax at the half. pic.twitter.com/WjFLRO3niQ

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) March 12, 2021

No. 3 Notre Dame then came alive, scoring five straight — three by Madison Mote, who was playing her first game in over a year — to cut the deficit to 15-10.

Freshman Emma Ward then made an aggressive move to cage, earning herself a free position attempt from the left hash. She lined up with her stick on her right hip, took a small step forward and then uncorked a missile past Bridget Deehan, ending Notre Dame’s run and sparking a 3-0 Orange run.

Oooooh Emma Ward bringing the HEAT.

The @CuseWLAX freshman has a hat trick and the Orange lead 18-11 over @NDWomensLax. pic.twitter.com/pjlZ6TLyQI

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) March 12, 2021

Trailing 18-11, Notre Dame again came alive with 1:35 remaining, closing the game with three straight tallies — one each by Jackie Wolak, Madison Ahern and Jessi Masinko. The run was too little, too late.

In a game featuring 32 combined goals, defense reigned supreme. Each team turned the ball over 20 times. Syracuse caused 15 turnovers, and Notre Dame caused eight. The Irish were effective on the ride, forcing six failed Syracuse clears.

Syracuse held a major advantage on the draw, winning 21 of 34 in large part because of a career night from Katelyn Mashewske, who won 12.

We won’t have to wait long for the rematch. Notre Dame (2-1) will stay in Syracuse to play the Orange at noon on Sunday. Syracuse (4-0) hopes to continue to prove that it’s more than capable of handling life without Emily Hawryschuk.

Nike/US Lacrosse Top 20

No. 2 Syracuse 18, No. 3 Notre Dame 14
No. 4 Northwestern 24, No. 8 Penn State 13
No. 10 Duke 19, High Point 9

No. 1 North Carolina at No. 15 Virginia Tech, PPD

Other Scores

Furman 14, VCU 12