SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The California lacrosse team (3-4, 1-2 ACC) lost its third straight game Tuesday with a 13-3 defeat on the road in an Atlantic Coast Conference contest at the JMA Wireless Dome against No. 15 Syracuse (3-3, 2-2 ACC).

Cal was able to stay close for much of the opening period thanks to an Emily Moes' goal on an assist by Willow Cyr with 7:42 remaining in the first period that tied the game at 1-1. The play of freshman goalkeeper Lulu Murphy also helped as the goalkeeper was able to fend off six of the first eight shots she faced before Molly Guzik connected with just five ticks left in the opening period to extend the Orange lead to 3-1. 

Syracuse pulled away in the second quarter and led 10-1 at halftime after scoring seven goals while the Golden Bears did not find the back of the net.

Both teams exhibited strong defensive play after the break with Syracuse adding three goals and the Bears scoring a pair for the final margin. Ashleigh Masterson scored on assist from Avery Hoeft with 1:02 to go in the third quarter for Cal's second goal of the game, while Katie McMullen went coast to coast for an unassisted goal with 2:36 to go in the fourth to wrap up the contest's scoring.

Syracuse's Mackenzie Rich had a hat trick with all of her goals in the second period and was the only player for either team with more than a single goal. Alexa Vogelman of the Orange had a pair of assists and was the game's only player with more than one.

A combined 59 players (Syracuse 33, Cal 26) including five goalkeepers (Cal 3, Syracuse 2) participated in the contest.

Murphy, who came into the game tied for first among the nation's freshmen in saves, finished with a game-high 12 saves, while Chloe Rand picked up three as the second of Cal's three goalies.

Cal returns home to begin a season-long four-game homestand with an ACC contest against No. 10 Boston College (2-3, 2-1 ACC) on Saturday.. First draw is at noon PT and the game will be streamed live on ACCNX/ESPN+.