Top-4 Battle Set for Saturday in the Dome

The stage is set for a battle between two of the top teams in the nation on Saturday as No. 4 Syracuse hosts No. 1 North Carolina at 2 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. The Orange and Tar Heels are tied for the top spot in the ACC standings with identical 5-0 records in league play. Syracuse is 10-2 overall, while North Carolina is the only remaining undefeated team in Division I with a 12-0 record.

“It’s going to be a great week for us,” Orange head coach Kayla Treanor said after last Saturday’s win against Pittsburgh. “The opportunity to play North Carolina at home is part of the reason these girls picked to come to Syracuse. You get to play all of the top teams in the country. It’s just a great opportunity and I’m really excited to play them Saturday at home.”

The Orange are no stranger to playing tough competition. Nine of Syracuse’s 12 opponents this season have been ranked at the time of the contest, including four in the top 10.

Saturday’s game will feature two of the top offenses in the nation. North Carolina ranks second nationally, averaging 18.08 goals per game, while Syracuse is sixth in the latest NCAA statistics, scoring 16.25 goals per contest. On the defensive end, Tar Heel goalkeeper Taylor Moreno is fifth in the nation with an 8.62 goals-against average. Syracuse’s Kimber Hower is coming off two of her best performances of the season. She made a career-high 12 saves in the Orange’s 14-13 win against No. 6 Loyola before making seven saves in the victory against Pittsburgh.

Syracuse will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday. The group will be honored in a pregame ceremony.

Tickets for Saturday’s game can be purchased at Cuse.com/tickets.