The 2024 Division I women's college lacrosse season kicks off February 9. As is our annual tradition, we’re featuring every team ranked in the USA Lacrosse Preseason Top 20 in the lead up to opening day. Check back to USALaxMagazine.com each weekday this month for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis.
NO. 5 SYRACUSE
2023 Record: 18-3 (8-1 ACC)
Final Ranking (2023): No. 3
Head Coach: Kayla Treanor
Assistants: Abigail Rehfuss, Caitlin Defliese Watkins, Jason Gebhardt
Syracuse is learning about itself all over again as the 2024 season kicks off and it looks to build on its run to the NCAA semifinals in 2023.
During the fall, some of that learning took place off the field. Coach Kayla Treanor said her group made great memories during a weekend of team bonding in Vermont, where the team stayed on a big estate focused on team-building activities.
“There was a pond and basketball courts — it was an amazing place,” Treanor said. “Even though we were there for a short amount of time, we were able to create good memories that are really fun to me.”
Treanor walked away from the offseason impressed by her players’ personalities and level of competition. But the fall is only the beginning of the process of discovering who they are as a team.
There was plenty left to learn for the Orange during the preseason, which began the week of January 15. Before then, Treanor said some players are still returning from injuries sustained during the 2023 season. This gives Syracuse about a month to make personnel decisions before they take on Northwestern on February 10.
The graduation of dynamic attacker Meaghan Tyrrell, as well as attacker Megan Carney and midfielder Sierra Cockerille, leaves Syracuse with some holes. Their replacements, along with any others for injured players, were far from decided entering the preseason.
“It’s a battle to play,” Treanor said. “That’s one of the things I love about the preseason: the competition to earn that playing time.”
TOP RETURNERS
Delaney Sweitzer, G, Gr. (185 SV, .505 SV%)
Emma Tyrrell, A, Gr. (52G, 16A)
Emma Ward, A, Sr. (38G, 56A)
Sweitzer was dominant in some of the Orange’s biggest moments last season, recording 21 saves through Syracuse’s three postseason contests. She’s back for more in 2024, joined by other defensive mainstays like Katie Goodale and Hallie Simkins. Treanor called Sweitzer “hungry and humble,” saying she’s excited to see Sweitzer build on her 2023 campaign.
KEY ADDITIONS
Kaci Benoit, D, Fr. (Two-time All-American, state champion at Darien)
Alexa Vogelman, A, Fr. (117G, 64A in 2023)
Mackenzie Rich, A, R-So. (9G, 4A in 10 games at North Carolina)
Benoit is no stranger to greatness, having played for top-ranked Darien in high school alongside No. 1 recruit Chloe Humphrey. Her level of play has stood out to Treanor, who said Benoit has “elevated the team in a lot of different ways.” She was mature and came in ready to compete in the fall, Treanor said.
NOTABLE DEPARTURES
Graduations: Meaghan Tyrrell, A; Megan Carney, A; Sierra Cockerille, M; Tessa Queri, M
Transfers: Jordan Deblasio, D (Clemson)
X-FACTOR
Olivia Adamson, A, Sr. (30G, 21A, 107DC)
Adamson stepped into the main draw specialist role following an injury to starter Kate Mashewske just seven games into 2023. Adamson was dominant, recording 107 draw controls. Mashewske didn’t play for Syracuse during the fall and is still working to return from injury, Treanor said. This could, once again, leave Adamson in the primary draw role. Treanor said she’s excited to work with both players on the draw.
THE NARRATIVE
Injuries have been devastating for Syracuse in recent seasons.
A list of Orange players who have experienced season-ending injuries could very well also be a list of All-Americans: Emma Tyrrell, Emma Ward, Kate Mashewske, Emily Hawryschuk, etc.
Injuries have become a dominant narrative surrounding the Orange. Syracuse, however, has been able to persevere through chronic injuries to reach one NCAA championship game, one semifinal and one quarterfinal since 2021.
Like other teams around the country, Syracuse is in wait-and-see mode to see what players are ready to return after suffering injuries in 2023. Regardless of player readiness at the start of 2024 or any adversity that may strike during the season, the Orange have proven their grittiness over the years. It’s difficult to count them based on injury history, as they’ve been strong competitors regardless.
Watching players return with confidence has been exciting for Treanor, who said she’s looking forward to seeing those injured during the 2023 season come back this year.
“This team has gone through, like all teams, different adversities,” Treanor said. “But I think it makes us grow more as a group and makes this group more connected and mentally tough.”
ENEMY LINES
“Kayla, in her third season as a coach, she’s probably starting to engrain the culture she believes in and she’s returning a lot of great players. She’s a phenomenal coach, relative to skills and tactics. I suspect they’re going to have a great team.”
Syracuse’s blend of seasoned veterans and fresh talent, particularly on defense, sets a strong foundation for the new season. With 94% of their defensive experience returning, the team’s defensive unit is poised to maintain its top-tier status, having ranked in the 96th percentile last season for opponent-adjusted efficiency. On offense, they return Emma Ward and Emma Tyrrell, who, along with a few incoming transfers, will try to fill the shoes left by Meaghan Tyrrell’s departure. She recorded 27% of the team’s assists, so they are not small shoes.
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