NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The No. 1-seed Syracuse women’s lacrosse team (15-2) opened up the BIG EAST Championship with a 22-7 semifinal victory over No. 4-seed Rutgers (7-10) at Notre Dame Stadium. SU sophomore Christina Dove totaled a BIG EAST Championship record seven goals, including four first-half scores, while junior teammate Katie Rowan added a BIG EAST Championship record 10 points, including six assists.

Rutgers got on the board first with a goal by junior Nina Frankoski 1:20 into the game. It was her 16^th of the season and was assisted by junior Mallory Tornetta.

The Orange answered as Dove posted an unassisted tally 9:07 into the contest to tie it. It was her 59^th goal of the year. Dove followed 16 seconds later with a second score to give the Orange a 2-1 lead. Syracuse scored two more times to open up a 4-1 lead with 18:48 left in the first half. After allowing the first goal of the game, the Orange answered with four scores in 2:05.

SU held a 9-2 advantage with 9:05 left in the first half and went into halftime with a 9-5 advantage. In their previous meeting on April 12, 2008, the Scarlet Knights totaled six goals. The Scarlet Knights five first-half goals were scored on just six shots on goal.

Dove had four first-half goals, while Rowan had four first-half points, two goals and two assists. As a team the Orange totaled nine goals in the first half to set a BIG EAST Championship record.

SU reeled off nine consecutive goals in the final 12 minutes of the second half to ice it. SU also surpassed the 20-goal plateau for the ninth time this season. The Orange entered the game with the nation’s top scoring offense averaging 19.0 goals per game and totaled a BIG EAST Championship record 22 goals.

Syracuse freshman goalkeeper Liz Hogan had eight saves, four in each half and earned the win.

Rutgers sophomore Brooke Cantwell and junior teammate Michelle Poole each had two goals to lead the RU offense.

With the win the Orange advance to the title game of the BIG EAST Championship for the second straight year. It will be played on April 27 at ND Stadium and be televised live on CBS College Sports beginning at noon. Syracuse won the inaugural tournament championship in 2007.