Syracuse junior attacker Katie Rowan has spent the past three years rewriting NCAA and school record books en route to leading the Orange to its first Final Four game tonight at Towson?s Johnny Unitas Stadium.
But it?s been the continued emergence of sophomore midfielder and former Bel Air standout Christina Dove that has been just as important to the team?s success.
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“We play well together and our whole offense has been clicking,” Dove said. “I wasn?t expecting making it here, but we worked hard to see where we could go.”
The fifth-seeded Orange (18-2) continues the best season in school history tonight at 6 against top-seeded and three-time defending national champion Northwestern (19-1). The Wildcats used a smothering defense to contain Syracuse in a 19-7 win in the Carrier Dome on March 24.
But containing Rowan and Dove for a second time this season will not be easy.
Rowan, a Tewaaraton Award finalist for the top player in Division I, has 73 goals and an NCAA-record 69 assists. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament earlier this month, Rowan had a record 13 points in a 21-9 win over Towson.
Dove, who has a team-high 74 goals on 164 shots, is second on the team with 43 draw controls. During a 13-11 win over North Carolina last weekend to reach the Final Four, Dove had three goals and two assists.
But this breakout season is no surprise for Dove, who scored 47 goals and finished with 58 points as a freshman. When Rowan was asked to describe one moment when she was impressed by Dove this season, she said its her ability to consistently create highlight reel-caliber goals.
“She?s a great dodger and can really finish,” Rowan said. “Most games, she beats like three players and dodges around them and that?s pretty sweet.”
Dove and Rowan, however, will have to be at their best to beat Northwestern. The Wildcats are second in Division I in allowing a meager seven goals per game. Northwestern?s defense is led by National Player of the Year candidate and senior defender Christy Finch, who is second in the country in caused turnovers (3.4) and 25th in ground balls (2.8) per game.
“It?s really exciting to play in front of all my friends and my family,” Dove said. “Getting here is definitely a goal and I have been looking forward to it all year.”
