SYRACUSE, N.Y. — National title contenders, indeed!

The 12th-ranked Stony Brook women's lacrosse team earned a statement win in its season opener, topping fourth-ranked Syracuse, 17-16, on Monday night inside the Carrier Dome.

"I'm so proud of our kids," head coach Joe Spallina said. "This is a tremendous road win for our young team — one that will go a long way. We dealt with adversity early and late and got it done. Top-five wins aren't easy and this group earned it."

Preseason All-American Ally Kennedy delivered the tiebreaking goal with 20 minutes, 11 seconds remaining.

Four minutes later, Stony Brook goalkeeper Kameron Halsall made a point-blank stop on a free-position opportunity by Syracuse's Megan Carney to preserve the 10-9 lead.

Stony Brook followed with six more consecutive goals — including two apiece from Sarah Pulis and Kailyn Hart — to up its lead to 16-9.

The Orange were held scoreless for nearly 15 minutes during that second-half spurt.

Hart tallied her first two collegiate goals, including a highlight-reel behind-the-back score.

Halsall, a transfer from Rutgers making her Stony Brook debut, turned away 10 of Syracuse's 26 shots.

Taryn Ohlmiller contributed six goals, establishing a new career high.

Ohlmiller's output increased her career total to 159 goals, passing Demmianne Cook for fifth on the program's all-time list.

Kennedy produced seven points in the game, upping her career to 228. That moved her into sixth place on the program's all-time list, passing Carlee Buck (224).

Kennedy's goal with 3:27 remaining halted Syracuse's momentum after the Orange rattled off four straight goals to pull within 16-13.

Syracuse climbed within a goal with 68 seconds remaining, but Rayna Sabella won the next draw control and the Seawolves held possession for  the remainder of the game.

Four freshmen started for the Seawolves in their collegiate debuts — Kira Accettella, Kayla Downey, Charlotte Verhulst and Hart.

Stony Brook trailed 6-2 at one point, but rallied to pull even at 7 by halftime.

The Seawolves next have their home opener on Saturday against Ohio State at noon.

"We couldn't have started this season on a better note," Ohlmiller concluded about the win at Syracuse. "Going into it we knew it was going to be a tough game, but all of our hard work this preseason showed tonight. I'm so proud of every person on this team. We're just going to keep earning the respect we deserve every week."