May 1, 2004

Syracuse, N.Y. - The 18th-ranked UMass women's rowing team won the Orange Plus Cup at Syracuse, beating the 19th-ranked Orangwomen and Villanova.

In the feature race, the UMass varsity eight downed Syracuse by almost five seconds, finishing with a time of 6:29.7 to Syracuse's 6:34.3. Villanova was third at 6:41.1. The UMass varsity eight continues to roll along, coming off a strong performance in winning the Atlantic 10 Championship last week.

In the varsity four, Syracuse was first (7:39.2), Villanova was second (7:43.2), and UMass was third (7:54.9). In the second varsity eight, Syracuse (6:54.4) edged UMass (7:00.5), and UMass won the novice eight, turning a time of 7:07.0. Villanova was second with 7:12.1. UMass' lightweight boat competed and came in third with a 7:29.7.

UMass will compete at the ECAC Championship in Worcester, Mass., next weekend.