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The Daily OrangeWLAX | BUSINESS AS USUAL: Clinical offense helps No. 5 Syracuse cruise in NCAA tournament opener
By John Sutton
Posted: 5/11/08, 8:00 PM EST Section: Sports
May 11, 8 p.m. -- All season, Gary Gait has implored his potent Syracuse offense to take high-percentage shots.
On Sunday, the Syracuse head coach watched as his team put together one of its most efficient performances in the biggest game of the season thus far.
The No. 5 Orange defeated Towson, 21-9, Sunday afternoon in the Carrier Dome in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Syracuse converted 21 goals on only 33 shots, making it impossible for Towson to gain any momentum throughout the game.
Syracuse will face North Carolina next Saturday in the tournament quarterfinals at 1 p.m. in the Dome. The Tar Heels scored an 11-7 upset earlier in the day over No. 4 Virginia, which defeated Syracuse on March 1.
Coming off a two week layoff since winning the Big East tournament in South Bend, Ind., the Orange (17-2) continued to put up big offensive numbers in the program's first home NCAA tournament game.
"They were quality shots, I thought we matched up pretty well with their goalie and her style of play," Gait said. "We did a nice job, knowing the way she plays, we played great. We had a good week to work on where to shoot the ball and what we need to do. It's great when they execute. It's fun to watch."
It was business as usual for the Orange, on the same field where earlier in the day, several members of the team had graduated, taking part in Syracuse's Commencement ceremony.
Once again SU junior attack Katie Rowan set the pace, tallying two Syracuse and NCAA tournament records with 13 points and eight assists on Sunday. Christina Dove also had five goals, and Halley Quillinan tallied four of her own in the win.
Gait has urged Rowan to put up her best performances in the biggest games this season. While the Orange defeated Towson 22-5 earlier in the season, this time around the stakes were higher.
"It was a quiet 13 points," Gait said. "We stuck to our offense. We talk about it, her stepping up in big games, and it's the NCAA tournament and she has her biggest game. You've got to be happy with that. She does a great job keeping her head up and the other players on the team are cutting hard."
On Sunday, the Syracuse head coach watched as his team put together one of its most efficient performances in the biggest game of the season thus far.
The No. 5 Orange defeated Towson, 21-9, Sunday afternoon in the Carrier Dome in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Syracuse converted 21 goals on only 33 shots, making it impossible for Towson to gain any momentum throughout the game.
Syracuse will face North Carolina next Saturday in the tournament quarterfinals at 1 p.m. in the Dome. The Tar Heels scored an 11-7 upset earlier in the day over No. 4 Virginia, which defeated Syracuse on March 1.
Coming off a two week layoff since winning the Big East tournament in South Bend, Ind., the Orange (17-2) continued to put up big offensive numbers in the program's first home NCAA tournament game.
"They were quality shots, I thought we matched up pretty well with their goalie and her style of play," Gait said. "We did a nice job, knowing the way she plays, we played great. We had a good week to work on where to shoot the ball and what we need to do. It's great when they execute. It's fun to watch."
It was business as usual for the Orange, on the same field where earlier in the day, several members of the team had graduated, taking part in Syracuse's Commencement ceremony.
Once again SU junior attack Katie Rowan set the pace, tallying two Syracuse and NCAA tournament records with 13 points and eight assists on Sunday. Christina Dove also had five goals, and Halley Quillinan tallied four of her own in the win.
Gait has urged Rowan to put up her best performances in the biggest games this season. While the Orange defeated Towson 22-5 earlier in the season, this time around the stakes were higher.
"It was a quiet 13 points," Gait said. "We stuck to our offense. We talk about it, her stepping up in big games, and it's the NCAA tournament and she has her biggest game. You've got to be happy with that. She does a great job keeping her head up and the other players on the team are cutting hard."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Fred Hawksley
posted 5/12/08 @ 9:51 AM EST
Congratulations
To the Girls and Coaches, i am happy for everyone.
Keep playing hard and listening to Coach Gait.
PS Never Stop Learning
Celebrity Cruise Lines
posted 8/04/08 @ 12:53 PM EST
Coach Gait is the right person in the right place. I wish all coaches would be as determined and involved as coach Gait.
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