No. 8 Syracuse women’s lacrosse sneaks past No. 21 Notre Dame 12-11

A program-record crowd of more than 3,600 spectators was treated to a familiar sight in the Dome Sunday: Syracuse women’s lacrosse in a close one. The 8th-ranked Orange prevailed, 12-11, against 21st-ranked Notre Dame after a 3-0 fourth-quarter run put the ’Cuse ahead for good.

It’s the fourth game in the last five for the Orange decided by two goals or fewer. Syracuse has won three of those.

“We are really used to playing in close games,” SU head coach Kayla Treanor said postgame. “I’m really glad that one did not go into overtime. I’ve been talking about this all year: it’s just game experience for these guys, and it’s our young guys that are making a lot of plays, so the more that we play in like this, the more experience we get.”

In tight games, nothing helps more than a rock in net and, on Sunday, Syracuse goalie Daniella Guyette was just that.

“She’s so consistent for us, comes up with huge plays. She’s playing so well, but again I think it’s chemistry within the unit. Game experience and practices are really important for us to develop that chemistry.”

“We have an outstanding unit in front of me,” Guyette said after her 11-save performance. “Turning away some of these harsher looks and really just setting me up for success, especially with those low angle shots where I’m just able to see it the whole way through.”

Next up, Syracuse battles 11th-ranked Virginia on Saturday. The Orange outlasted the Cavaliers in a 15-14 comeback effort a year ago. Saturday’s matchup starts at noon.