Syracuse goalie Evan Molloy answered the bell Sunday night, making 15 saves to back up a strong defensive showing by the Orange in an 11-10 victory over Yale in an NCAA tournament first-round game at the Carrier Dome.
Molloy, who came in with a save percentage of just 48.1, performed at a 60-percent clip and came up with a crucial ground ball late in regulation to earn Epoch/US Lacrosse Player of the Week honors.
Syracuse’s defense bent, but did not break, as the Orange won just four of 22 faceoffs and were outshot 42-29, including 20-5 during a first quarter in which Molloy made six saves. Syracuse was impeccable on clears (15-for-15) and man-down situations, killing all three of the Bulldogs’ extra-man opportunities.
"We got some great stops defensively, especially with this guy, Evan Molloy, in the cage," head coach John Desko said. "He had 15 saves in a game like this where they had 42 shots. It's a great effort to make some great saves going down the stretch, and like usual we came out on top with a one-goal win."