The starting lineup was different Sunday afternoon in the Carrier Dome — head coach Gary Gait started seven of his eight healthy seniors on Senior Day.

It was Taylor Nims’ first start of the season and just her fourth game of the year. With 25:02 left in the second half, the sideline erupted in applause as Nims netted her third goal of the game.

Ella Thorpe fed Nims the ball. Nims swung her stick behind her head and found the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season.

“It’s funny,” Nims said, “I usually practice it in practice, but I wasn’t really thinking about it during the game. I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time.”

All game long, Nims found herself in the right position to give Syracuse (12-3, 6-0 Big East) an 18-6 victory over Marquette (2-14) Sunday afternoon in the Dome. Nims ended with a career-high four goals, one assist and increased minutes in front of her family. Gait credited Nims and the other seniors for getting the Orange off to a hot start, allowing opportunities for others to get involved. In the first 15 minutes, seniors Nims, Tori Praino and Bridget Daley scored to spark a 10-0 Syracuse run.

“There’s definitely a sense of urgency that I feel,” senior Daley said. “I’ve been feeling that for the last few games, but I think that’s how you have to play every game when it comes down to your last few games in your senior year.”

The seniors led the Orange to a dominating performance over the young Golden Eagles, and behind their efforts, Gait began to clear out his bench early in the first.

With the constant rotation of players, Syracuse dominated Marquette on draw controls. The Orange won 80 percent in the first half.

Syracuse’s dominance on the draw controls didn’t allow the Golden Eagles to pass the 50-yard line for more than three minutes. The lack of possession on draw controls harmed the Golden Eagles. They only got off two shots before the half, scoring on just one.

Syracuse slung 23 shots before the half, helping 10 different players get on the board for the Orange. Syracuse would end the game with 39 shots to Marquette’s eight. This effort was without leading scorers Alyssa Murray and Kayla Treanor in the second half.

“The team came out focused and ready to go and that allowed us to play everybody on Senior Day.” Gait said. “It wasn’t one of the top teams in the country, but it could’ve been an opportunity for mental letdowns.”

Treanor and Murray did not start the second half, and goaltender Kelsey Richardson would also not play the rest of the game. This gave freshman Shannon Byrne her longest minutes of the season with 19:52.

Said Gait: “Overall, it was a good day for Syracuse lacrosse. We are happy with everything and that everyone had an opportunity to play.”

Published on April 22, 2013 at 1:38 am

Contact Melissa: qsbronso@syr.edu