Syracuse split a pair of games at Ohio State this weekend, knocking off the Buckeyes but losing to No. 2 Old Dominion. The Orange (3-2, 0-0 Big East) defeated Ohio State, 2-0, on Friday, and fell to ODU on Saturday, 2-1.

It was the second consecutive weekend Syracuse lost to the nation’s No. 2 team.

SU struggled early against the unranked Buckeyes (2-4), before scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes to pick up a win.

Junior forward Kelsey Millman struck first in the 61st minute and senior midfielder Liz McInerney sealed the game with just two minutes left in regulation. Leann Stiver made three saves in goal for the Orange, while OSU goalkeeper Ally Tunitis recorded four.

The Lady Monarchs (5-0) took command early in Syracuse’s second game, scoring two goals in the first 7:11. Lydia Velzian netted the first goal, receiving a pass from Maartje van Rijswijk and sailing it past Stiver.

Minutes later, Emma Batten deflected a Kelsey Smither shot past Stiver to put Old Dominion ahead 2-0.

With just seven seconds left in the first half, Syracuse was awarded a penalty stroke. Senior midfielder Martina Loncarica seized the opportunity and scored to bring the Orange within one. With that point, the 120th in Loncarica’s career, she tied Maggie Befort for SU’s all-time mark.

SU managed just four shots in the second half, none of which tested ODU goalkeeper Devon Seifert. In fact, Seifert did not record a save in the entire game.

Syracuse opens up its Big East schedule this Friday when Rutgers visits J.S. Coyne Stadium for a 5 p.m. match.

Women’s soccer

Ties were the trend for the Syracuse women’s soccer team this weekend at the Fairfield University 20th Anniversary Invitational.

In two games, the Orange (1-2-3, 0-0 Big East) found itself knotted up with each of its opponent after the clock hit zero. On Friday against Fairfield (2-1-2), the Orange played to a 0-0 tie, and SU ended Sunday’s game deadlocked 2-2 against Central Connecticut (1-2-2).

In the first game, SU’s offense had opportunities but sputtered in the final third of the field and couldn’t finish off any of those plays. The Orange tallied 10 shot attempts and eight corner kicks with nothing to show for it.

Syracuse’s best chance at breaking the scoreless tie was in the middle of the second half, when the Orange shot six times in a span of roughly six minutes. Forward Brittany Kinmond hit the crossbar twice in the 74th and 76th minutes, respectively.

One bright spot for the Orange throughout the year is goalkeeper Brittany Anghel, who recorded her third shutout of the season, making four saves in the contest.

On the back end of the tourney, the offense got going, but the defense slipped up.

Central Connecticut nabbed the opening goal of the game when Christina Boucher collected a loose ball in the box and kicked it right past Anghel to give the Blue Devils an early advantage.

But the Orange quickly responded, scoring almost exactly two minutes later when Jenna Rickan headed in a free kick delivered by Rachel Blum to tie the game up.

The Orange took its first lead in the second half courtesy of Tina Romagnuolo’s first goal of the season.

SU had the lead late in the second half and was less than two minutes away from its second win of the season, but then caught a bad break.

On a free kick, Jewel Robinson’s 20-yard shot hit off the Orange wall and deflected into the net for the equalizer.

SU took seven shots in overtime but couldn’t find the back of the net in a last-ditch effort to get a win.

For their performances, Romagnuolo, Blum and Anghel were all named to the all-tournament team.

Volleyball

Syracuse won all three of its matches to win the Blackbird Invitational this weekend, dropping just two sets in the process. The Orange (8-2, 0-0 Big East) defeated Long Island, Temple and Lehigh on Friday and Saturday to take the tournament.

SU played one match on Friday against the host team, LIU (3-7), defeating the Blackbirds 3-1. Ying Shen was phenomenal, converting 10-of-14 kills for SU.

Syracuse also looked just as strong in its two wins Saturday. After dropping its opening set to Temple, 24-26, Syracuse handled the Owls over the next three sets, winning 25-12, 25-22 and 25-22. Noemie Lefebvre tied her season high with 16 spikes and led Syracuse with 20 digs in the match as well.

The Orange kept rolling against Lehigh, using 14 different players in a sweep. Lefebvre and Lindsay McCabe led SU with seven kills apiece.

Syracuse’s Samantha Hinz was named tournament MVP. The SU middle blocker recorded 18 kills and 16 blocks during the three matches. Ashley Williams and McCabe also made the all-tournament team.

SU plays in the Blue and White Invitational next weekend at Buffalo. The Orange will face Buffalo, No. 23 Dayton and Cornell.

— Compiled by The Daily Orange Sports staff 

Published on September 11, 2011 at 12:00 pm