Selena Lasota will be key if Northwestern is to upset #2 Syracuse on Saturday. Credit: NUSports.com

By: Tara Wendell

Northwestern’s fifth-ranked women’s lacrosse team faces the #2 Syracuse Orange tomorrow in what may be their toughest game this season. Last year, the then #7 ‘Cats beat the then #5 Orange by just one goal, edging them 11-10.

Northwestern will go into tomorrow’s game coming off a two week break, because of which, they should be fresh and ready to go. Plus, they should have a little extra fire, after dropping their last match against Virginia. Syracuse has been off for just a week, but, thus far, Syracuse’s games have been easy for them.

Tomorrow will be the first true test for the Orange, who have played and beaten Loyola (MD), Binghamton, Wagner, and Marist. Syracuse might struggle early in the game, and if Northwestern can catch the Orange off-balance and unprepared, jumping to an early lead could be huge for Northwestern.

Last year, Northwestern beat Syracuse thanks to a 4-goal performance from Selena Lasota, 2 goals from Sheila Nesselbush, and 5 from Kara Mupo. Someone is going to have to step up and fill the void that Mupo has left. Thus far Kaleigh Craig has done so, with a hand from Sheila Nesselbush, who is asserting herself more than last year, Danita Stroup, and Shelby Fredericks. She’ll need more help from that trio, as well as Corrine Wessels, who has been a bit quiet this year.

While Northwestern graduated Kara Mupo, a big offensive contributor, Syracuse held on to all five players who scored against Northwestern. Northwestern will need to shut down Halle Majorana, who has scored 10 goals this year, and three against the ‘Cats last year. They’ll also want to pay special attention to Kayla Treanor, who has seven goals on the season.

This is no easy win for Northwestern, but if they can catch the Orange off guard early, get production from more than one or two of its attackers, and, as always, win the draw control battle, they just might be able to come away with a win.