Chris Sailer was coaching in her 27th NCAA tournament. It’s Kayla Treanor’s first as a head coach. On Sunday, youth won out as fifth-seeded Syracuse defeated Princeton 13-9 in a second-round game at Class of 1952 Stadium.
The loss ends Sailer’s legendary 36-year career. She produced a 433-168 record, including a 15-4 mark this season, and led the Tigers to national titles in 1994, 2002 and 2003.
Tewaaraton finalist Meaghan Tyrrell scored a game-high five goals, and freshman Olivia Adamson netted a hat trick for Syracuse (15-5). Kimber Hower made 11 saves.
Kyla Sears tallied three goals in the final game of her collegiate career and leaves Princeton as the all-time leader in points (307), goals (209) and assists (98). Sam Fish stopped 12 shots in her finale.
The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 first-quarter lead on goals by Kari Buonanno, Sophie Whiteway and Grace Taukus. The Orange scored seven of the next 10 goals and took a 7-6 lead when Jenny Markey found the back of the cage at 1:17 of the second quarter.
Sears opened the third-quarter scoring with a free-position goal at 13:41.
Syracuse appeared to take the lead less than a minute later when Emily Hawryschuk scored, but it was waved off for a crease violation. But a foul on Maria Pansini gave Hawryschuk a free-position shot. She missed but got to the center hash on a check to the head call on Sammy Filippi. The third time proved to be the charm for Hawryschuk, who converted the free position to put the Orange ahead 8-7 at 12:10 of the third quarter.
Tyrrell bounced a shot around Princeton All-American defender Marge Donovan and Fish, the Ivy League Goalie of the Year, at the 10:04 mark. Adamson followed with a flip shot with 8:58 left in the third, and Natalie Smith buried a free position at 5:16 to put the Orange up four goals, 11-7.
The Tigers broke through again when Ellie Mueller found Sears in front at 2:52, ending a nearly 11-minute goal drought and getting the Tigers within three.