Syracuse women’s lacrosse seniors played like it was their last game at the Carrier Dome on Friday night.

The four combined for nine of SU’s 20 points in the 16-11 win against Denver. Though it was senior night, the last scheduled home game for the Orangewomen, they hope they’ll be back to play at home in the postseason.

Before the game, each of the seniors and their parents received flowers and posed for pictures on the 50-yard line. Seniors Leigh-Ann Zimmer, Jacquelyn Walker, Cristine Doran and Danielle Lillis were all in the starting lineup.

‘It could possibly be the last time in the Dome, hopefully not,’ Lillis said. ‘I had that in the back of my mind – that I was out for the last game – so I wanted to finish strong.’

Lillis, who missed last weekend’s game at Boston College with an illness, did her best George Costanza imitation – to leave on a high note. She tied her four-goal career high with four seconds left on the clock. She also added an assist for a career-high five points.

Zimmer chipped in with three goals and one assist. In her senior campaign she is averaging 4.6 points, which could earn her the Tewaaraton Trophy, awarded to lacrosse’s best player. Zimmer is currently third in the Big East with 55 points, and she needs one more to reach her career high of 56 points.

‘You go into the game being aware of the fact that this is their last home game, unless we get a home seed for the NCAAs,’ SU head coach Lisa Miller. ‘They’ve spent four years with this program and they’ve done good things and they’ve been the key kids in this group.’

Home of the brave

SU jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to some pregame inspiration from one Orangewoman.

Junior defender Alexis Fermanis performed the national anthem before Friday night’s matchup with Denver. She sang at midfield in her No. 4 uniform as her teammates and coaches stood together about 15 yards away.

‘That was the highlight of my year.’ SU junior Monica Joines said. ‘She did such a great job. Ever since freshman year, you get in a car with Alexis and she’d be harmonizing to the music, and all of us were just trying to stay on key.’

Joines and the Orangewomen responded to Fermanis’ flawless tribute to America with rousing cheers and applause.

‘For somebody who is tone deaf, can’t remember the words to a song and can barely hum, I was amazed,’ Miller said.

‘We pretty much knew she was good from the beginning,’ Joines said. ‘It was really fun to see one of your teammates get out there and sing the anthem. She was nervous, but she really did a great job.’

Winless no more

In seven years of Syracuse women’s lacrosse, the Orangewomen have never defeated national-powerhouse Maryland.

Friday’s win in SU’s first-ever matchup with Denver was that much sweeter because it was against a former Terrapin. Before taking the head-coaching job at Denver, Cathy Nelson Reese spent five seasons as an assistant at Maryland. In those five seasons, SU was 0-5 against the Terrapins.

‘I’ve seen Syracuse play a lot, and they’re a great program,’ Reese said. ‘We told our team coming into this game, it’s really going to come down to hustle.

‘They’ve always played up against Maryland,’ Reese said. ‘Over the years for me, it’s always been a challenge (playing Syracuse). It’s a challenge for any team to play with them.’

This and that

After Friday night’s game, the Orangewomen entertained young fans with an autograph session. … Two of SU’s three remaining games are against top five teams (Notre Dame and Loyola). … Junior Caitlyn Dragon, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, has three goals in the last two games.

Published on April 25, 2004 at 12:00 pm