Only 17 minutes had gone by, but Syracuse’s record-setting season was in a free fall. 

Down three to Boston College, the Orange had recorded just one shot and no goals. The Eagles were dominating the draws, locking down on defense and a faint “Let’s go Orange” could be heard from the Syracuse faithful. 

But then Katie Webster bounced in a free-position shot. And just like that, all of the inconsistencies that had plagued the Orange to that point were suddenly irrelevant. 

“No panic. Not when there’s (so much time) left,” SU head coach Gary Gait said. “We don’t panic. We got ourselves back in it.”

Bridget Daley followed up Webster’s free-position goal with one of her own just over a minute later. Fifty-eight seconds after that, Erica Bodt tied the score off a pass from Gabby Jaquith. Then Webster connected again, this time on an unassisted charge to the net. 

No. 2-seed Syracuse (20-2, 6-1 Atlantic Coast) erased a poor start, and held on late to defeat seventh-seeded Boston College (15-6, 3-4) 11-9 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament on Saturday afternoon in front of 652 fans in the Carrier Dome. The Orange now moves on to face Virginia in the semifinals on Friday in Towson, Md. 

“A big part of (our game plan) was to take (Kayla) Treanor out of the game, which I think we did successfully for a little bit,” BC head coach Acacia Walker said. “Then I think they just sort of found a rhythm and won a few draw controls and it turned everything around.”

Treanor and Alyssa Murray were non-factors in the first half, combining for just one point.

For a while, it stagnated Syracuse’s offense completely, but other teammates eventually stepped up. 

Four players combined for SU’s six first-half goals. After Daley connected on a pass from Murray to put Syracuse up 5-4, she dropped her stick and ran into Murray’s arms. 

The comeback was over, and the rout was on. 

“One of the reasons the middies got some goals today was because the attackers kept their composure,” said Webster, who finished with three goals. “The doubles were coming hard and they were able to keep their head up and look for us.” 

Syracuse then extended its lead in the second half. 

After Treanor connected on a free-position shot to make it 9-5 with 13:43 remaining, it appeared to be the nail in BC’s coffin. But then the Eagles came back as goals by Covie Stanwick and Moira Barry cut the Orange’s lead to two. 

“Our defense came up with some really huge stops,” Walker said. “…It was the reason why we were able to get a few extra possessions on offense.” 

And just as it had done when Boston College took momentum to start the game, Syracuse regained its composure. 

With the Orange up 10-8, Claire Blohm had a great look at a nearly uncontested net. She ran toward the goal, and bounced the shot in. 

But instead of signaling for a goal, the official waved it off. SU defender Kasey Mock had positioned herself perfectly to draw the charge and give Syracuse the ball back. 

The same players that were jumping on the BC bench were now banging their sticks and grasping their hands on their heads. Walker was doubled over, her hands on her knees.  

“It’s always good to recognize when someone’s coming in full-speed,” Mock said. “…They’re going to have to go through you or turn out.” 

The play punctuated the Syracuse win, and Boston College never got the ball for a chance to tie. 

As the clock ran out, everyone on the SU bench ran out to hug each other. The game was never in hand, but the Orange refused to finish a season defined by title hopes and top-flight wins. 

“We’re not ready to go home,” Murray said. “We want to go all the way. We’re a team with a mission. 

“That requires us to win our last game.” 

Published on May 17, 2014 at 3:19 pm

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3