Ashley Rauch scored in the opening minutes of the second half and Erin Flurey added an insurance tally late as Syracuse shook off spirited Siena Women's Soccer 2-0 in Central New York.
Siena (1-2) played an inspired opening half at its in-state high-major foe, but had to settle for a scoreless deadlock at the break. Syracuse (2-0-1) responded strong to start the second half, and broke through early.
Rauch finished the decisive tally just 2:35 into the stanza. Flurey then connected off a give-and-go with Anna Rupert in the 84
th minute to give the Orange breathing room.
Syracuse out-shot Siena 14-8 – including a 9-4 margin in the second half – while the Saints held a 4-3 edge in corners.
Freshman
Catherine Rogers was the lone Siena player to register multiple shots, while classmate
Cate Burns made three saves in goal.
Blythe Braun stopped three shots as well to earn the clean sheet for the Orange.
The Saints return to Central New York to conclude their season-opening four-match road trip when they take on Le Moyne next Thursday at 3 p.m.