What to know about Syracuse’s NCAAT 1st-Round matchup vs. Loyola
Caroline Trinkaus attempts a shot during Syracuse's win over Loyola on Feb. 24. Now, two months later, the Orange and Greyhounds meet again in the NCAA Tournament First Round. Brody Shuffler | Contributing Photographer
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.
Syracuse can’t be too content given that it’s unseeded in the NCAA Tournament and therefore won’t host a game. But it must at least be happy with its first-round draw, right? The Orange take on Loyola, which they defeated 15-7 on Feb. 24 for their first victory of the season.
SU extended that momentum into a 12-game winning streak, stretching to its regular-season finale against Boston College on April 16. Ultimately, the run gave way in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Since then, the Orange split two Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament games, including a 19-9 semifinal loss to North Carolina — undoubtedly their worst defensive performance of the year.
But, like in February, when Syracuse desperately needed to get back on track, a matchup with Loyola sits ahead. Since falling to the Orange, the Greyhounds have gone 10-4, most recently bowing out in the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals.
Here’s everything to know about No. 7 Syracuse’s (13-5, 7-3 ACC) NCAA Tournament First Round matchup versus No. 22 Loyola (12-7, 7-2 Patriot) Friday in Annapolis, Maryland:
All-time series
Syracuse leads 17-4. The Orange have won 12 straight games against the Greyhounds, dating back to May 2, 2015.
Last time they played
SU flashed promise in its first three games, but on Feb. 24 against Loyola, it badly needed to finish in front. The Orange were still searching for their first win under first-year head coach Regy Thorpe. Courtesy of a 7-0 third quarter, they found it with a 15-7 victory.
Syracuse led by just two goals at halftime. Ashlee Volpe’s benching seemed like a questionable decision, but the junior attack exploded for a career-high four assists. Meanwhile, Joely Caramelli and Molly Guzik each strung together hat tricks.
Syracuse wouldn’t lose another game for 51 days. Its win over Loyola laid the blueprint for the impressive streak.
The Greyhounds report
When SU last played Loyola, Elisa Faklaris seemed like the Greyhounds’ only threat. She finished that evening with a game-best four goals. But two months later, Loyola’s identity doesn’t revolve solely around Faklaris, but rather six players with 30-plus points, with three having more than 50. In comparison, Guzik is SU’s only player to reach 50.
The Greyhounds’ 383 total points rank 14th in the nation. SU’s only opponents this season with more were North Carolina, Stanford and Northwestern, three of the country’s top five teams. Loyola’s offensive success is balanced; the Greyhounds rank top-20 in both goals and assists.
But, if we’re being honest, nearly all of Loyola’s achievements can be credited to Mae Murphy. She’s yet to be involved in a goal this season, but her prowess in the draw circle is unlike anyone else in the nation.
The defender leads the country with 230 draws, and she’s finished in single digits just four times this year. She’s just a freshman, making her success even more extraordinary. Against a flailing draw unit like Syracuse’s, she’s the player to watch. Sorry, it couldn’t be kept in.
How Syracuse beats Loyola
Stop Murphy. It’s unlikely, but if Guzik and Caramelli figure it out, Syracuse will win this game. The Greyhounds’ offense is elite. Their defense is solid, too, but so is SU’s. The separation comes in the draw circle.
The Orange rank last in the ACC in draw wins per game (7.89). It’s not particularly close, either. Check the NCAA website for draw controls per game, and Syracuse won’t show up because it’s been so poor.
SU’s won the draw battle four times this season, three of which came in victories. However, the Orange have been playing their worst in the circle recently, proving detrimental in losses to BC and UNC. To beat Loyola, Syracuse needs to beat Murphy.
Stat to know: 13
Aside from Cal’s seven shots against SU on March 3, Loyola’s 13 earlier this season were the fewest the Orange allowed all year. OK, so maybe to defeat the Greyhounds, you need to stop Murphy and hold them under 15 shots.
The problem is, Loyola hasn’t been held to that mark since then and averages 28.37 shots per game, which would rank sixth in the ACC. Syracuse’s 25.78 tries a game place 10th in the conference.
Player to watch: Mae Murphy, defender, No. 28
One last time, let’s talk about Murphy. A rise of this magnitude was unexpected, but now she’s hard to miss. She was named to the Tewaaraton Award Top-25 List and was an ILWomen Impact Freshman and a Midseason All-American.
Her two worst performances have come against Army, and Syracuse isn’t Army. Murphy’s eclipsed double-digit draw wins 15 times. The Orange have hit that mark four times, a gap that speaks for itself.
