Syracuse, N.Y. (April 7, 2012) – Despite four points from redshirt junior attack Annie McGinley (Moorestown, N.J.), the Rutgers women’s lacrosse team fell at No. 2 Syracuse, 15-10, Saturday afternoon at the Carrier Dome.

Junior midfielder Stephanie Anderson (Wading River, N.Y.) added her team-leading sixth hat trick of the season with three scores for RU (7-5, 2-2). Sophomore midfielder Lauren Sbrilli (Martinsville, N.J.) registered two goals and an assist for three points.

Syracuse (8-2, 3-0) was paced by Alyssa Murray with six goals and an assist. Junior netminder Lily Kalata (Nesconset, N.Y.) made five saves in the loss. Junior Aimee Chotikul (Baltimore, Md.) also saw action in the cage.

The Scarlet Knights got out to a hot start, as senior midfielder Ali Steinberg (Suffern, N.Y.) and Sbrilli pushed RU to a 2-0 advantage at the 24:55 mark. The Orange would fight back, rattling off three-straight scores to take a 3-2 lead with 16:35 to play in the first half. McGinley quieted the run, burying a shot at the 15:28 mark to knot the score at three.

The two teams would trade goals for the remainder of the half, with neither earning more than a one-goal advantage. Anderson scored twice over the final 13:26 of the first stanza, once on a feed from Sbrilli, as the Orange took a 7-6 lead into the break.

Syracuse scored five of the first six goals to open the second half, taking a 12-7 lead at the 8:41 mark. Steinberg corralled a pass from Danielle Mascera (Verona, N.J.) to bring the Scarlet Knights within four, 12-8, but Murray scored three-straight to give the Orange a seven-goal lead with 3:27 remaining.

Sbrilli registered a free position shot and sophomore midfielder Katrina Martinelli (Moorestown, N.J.) scored on a dish from Mascera, but it would not be enough for the comeback.    

Rutgers returns home for a two-game stretch that starts with Louisville Friday, April 13 at Yurcak Field. Game time is set for 5 p.m.

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