It took an extra session before Mary Rahal's goal knocked off Virginia Tech.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Redshirt freshman Mary Rahal scored on a free-position attempt 1:23 into overtime to give No. 11 Syracuse a come-from-behind 12-11 victory against No. 15 Virginia Tech at the SU Soccer Stadium. The win extended the Orange's winning streak to three and improved their record to 11-4 overall and 4-1 in ACC play.
"It was a battle," said Syracuse head coach Gary Gait. "They jumped on us early and we weren't clicking on the offensive side of the field. We didn't really get going until the second half. Our kids never gave up and kept battling and came out with the win."
Mary Rahal with the game winner in overtime! The Orange defeat the Hokies, 12-11!
— Syracuse Women's Lax (@CuseWLAX) April 9, 2017
HOW IT WAS DECIDED
Virginia Tech (11-5, 2-3) led 6-4 at halftime and scored the first goal after intermission to take its largest lead at 7-4 1:03 into the second half. Junior Riley Donahue scored on an assist from junior Neena Merola at the 24:48 mark, sparking Syracuse on a 5-1 scoring run that gave the Orange a 9-8 lead.
The Hokies evened the score at 9-9, but freshman Emily Hawryschuk netted back-to-back goals, the second coming when Syracuse was down a player due to a yellow card, to give the Orange an 11-9 advantage with 6:27 on the clock.
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Marissa Davey netted her third goal of the day to cut the lead to one with 1:45 remaining, but Syracuse won the ensuing draw to gain possession. An Orange turnover with 30 seconds on the clock gave Virginia Tech one last opportunity on offense and it took advantage when Taylor Caskey scored on a free position with four seconds remaining to force overtime.
Freshman Morgan Widner recorded her 11th draw control of the day to start overtime to give Syracuse possession. The Orange worked the ball around its offensive zone and Rahal was awarded the free position, which she converted to give Syracuse the win.
OF NOTE
Hawryschuk led the Orange offense as she recorded career highs in points (6) and goals (5). Senior Devon Parker had a hat trick with three goals, while Donahue and Alie Jimerson finished with three points each on a goal and two assists.
Syracuse honored its senior class prior to the game. The group included Abby Connor, Erin Francis, Haley McDonnell, Kaeli O'Connor, Devon Parker, Carly Randall, Paige Rogers, Tori Wehner and Kelsey Youmell.
