Syracuse women’s lacrosse senior class looks for 1st win over Virginia
Bridget Looney doesn’t want to admit the truth. The senior midfielder wants to treat Syracuse’s top-5 showdown against No. 4 Virginia like an average game. But despite her intentions, Looney just can’t shed the history.
In the second half of last year’s matchup against then-No. 2 Virginia, Looney suffered a season-ending injury, tearing her ACL as she attempted to recover a groundball. In addition to losing one of its cornerstone midfielders, Syracuse would go on to lose the game, 13-8.
A year later after injuring her knee against Virginia, Looney simply can’t escape the first of the countless storylines behind her personal rivalry with the Cavaliers.
‘I know this is the team I injured my knee against, but I wouldn’t say I’m gonna come out any stronger than usual or what I know I’m capable of,’ Looney said. ‘I’m definitely looking forward to it, but I have my eyes on a bigger prize.’
But Christina Dove isn’t buying her teammate’s explanation. The junior midfielder has played with Looney long enough to distinguish when she’s speaking honestly and when she’s withholding a secret.
‘I know this game means a little something special to Bridget since it was the game she went down in,’ Dove said. ‘Our whole team is pulling for her in this game to play well, beat Virginia, and show how much she means to this team.’
Virginia is currently enjoying a four-game winning streak against the Orange, leaving the current senior class – Looney, Bridget Hamm, Megan Mosenson and Awehiyo Thomas – winless against its longtime nemesis. With one last attempt of vengeance on their minds, the Orange seniors look to snap Virginia’s streak Friday at 4 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.
Prior to 2005, the Orange used to be on the winning end of the rivalry series. SU had triumphantly defeated the Cavaliers for three consecutive seasons. Since Virginia coach Julie Myers revamped the Cavaliers’ program and brought them back to the apex of the ACC that year, the games have returned to a rivalry format.
‘It’s a good rivalry between us,’ Looney said. ‘Syracuse usually would’ve beaten Virginia, but since I was a freshman we haven’t. But I think we’re ready this time. We’re gonna bring our best and they’re gonna bring their best. It’ll definitely be a good game.’
Syracuse head coach Gary Gait understands the magnitude of the game and what’s at stake for his seniors. And Gait would love nothing more than to coach the outgoing class over the arduous hump.
‘It’s the biggest home game we have this year,’ Gait said. ‘We have a few seniors this year that would love to get past Virginia. They beat us last year and our players remember that. They were one of only two teams to beat us last year, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to go after them again.’
Barring an unforeseen contest in the NCAA tournament, this may the seniors’ last chance to gain the upper hand against its obstinate opponent. As offensive specialists, Thomas and Mosenson will have the daunting onus of dissecting a potent Virginia defense.
But the Orange almost accomplished that objective last season. Going into halftime of that matchup, Syracuse was deadlocked with Virginia at five goals apiece. And if it wasn’t for Looney’s injury, Dove believes the seniors wouldn’t have to try to vindicate themselves and their careers this time around.
‘Last year’s loss is on all of our minds coming into this game,’ Dove said. ‘We’ve been in this position before. But they’re a great team. We plan to come out strong, especially in the Dome where I feel we play our best lacrosse.’
