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After continuously falling short in its recent stretch of five straight ranked games, Syracuse got back in the win column Saturday at Pittsburgh.

Despite starting slow, SU rebounded after a weather delay, blitzing the Panthers to take a 10-4 halftime lead. Though Syracuse still didn’t play consistently in the back half — as Pitt cut its lead to two — it pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 17-11 victory.

In the contest, the Orange’s offense lit up the scoreboard from numerous outlets. While Pitt aimed to silence leading scorer Emma Ward, she still quarterbacked Syracuse’s offense. Ward totaled a season-low two points, but nine other players scored goals in SU’s win.

Now, Syracuse will look to produce its first winning streak since its first three games of the year. But it’ll face another strong opponent in Loyola. The Greyhounds have gone 1-4 against ranked opponents this year but boast a high-powered attack.

Here’s everything to know about No. 17 Loyola (5-4, 2-0 Patriot League) before it hosts No. 8 Syracuse (5-4, 2-2 Atlantic Coast) Wednesday:

All time series

Syracuse leads 15-4.

Last time they played…

On March 27, 2024, Syracuse entered the JMA Wireless Dome on a four-game win streak after starting the year 3-3. Playing then-No. 7 Loyola — the Orange’s seventh ranked opponent in 10 games — SU stayed hot. Despite leading by one at halftime, a 5-1 third-quarter advantage pushed Syracuse to a 16-13 win.

The Orange lost the draw-control battle 19-12, allowing the Greyhounds’ Chase Boyle to ignite for six goals. But SU’s offense also shined. The duo of Emma Tyrrell and Ward combined for 10 goals, while Savannah Sweitzer added three, making Boyle’s performance a moot point.

The Greyhounds report

Loyola was one of the top teams in the country last season. It finished the year 18-3, defeating Navy in overtime to claim the Patriot League Championship. In the NCAA Tournament, the Greyhounds bowed out early, falling to Penn in the second round.

But to open 2025, Loyola hasn’t been as dominant. It’s started 5-4 through a tough opening schedule. The Greyhounds have played five ranked teams, and despite a commanding 11-7 victory over then-No. 10 Johns Hopkins, they’ve lost every other top-25 matchup.

Still, Loyola’s offense has been its selling point all year. Despite losing last season’s points leader, Sydni Black, it retained its other offensive threats in Boyle and Georgia Latch. Boyle leads the Greyhounds with 35 goals in 2025, while Latch has excelled as both a scorer and facilitator, totaling a team-high 50 points (20 goals, 30 assists). Dominant draw-control play — leading its opponents 162-83 in the circle — has given Loyola a leg up as well, contributing to its offensive firepower.

But the Greyhounds have been held back by their defense. Per Lacrosse Reference, they rank 68th in the country in opponent turnover rate (29.7%), only forcing six per game. Loyola has also surrendered 11 goals per contest, tied for the 47th-best mark nationally.

Joely Caramelli battles in the draw circle in Syracuse’s 9-8 loss to then-No. 12 Clemson. Caramelli has helped SU rebound on the draw, but she faces her toughest task yet against Loyola Wednesday. Aaron Hammer | Staff Photographer

How Syracuse beats Loyola

Loyola has shown this season its defense can’t keep up with the best teams in the nation. On paper, Syracuse should have no problem doing the same. But the Orange need to spread the ball around like they did versus Pitt. Even when Ward was largely eliminated from the score sheet, SU’s secondary scorers chipped in to bury the Panthers.

Also, since it’s likely the Greyhounds will excel on the draw, SU needs to slow Loyola’s offense. While Syracuse’s defense has dealt with injuries to Julia Basciano and Lexi Reber, the rest of its starters have been solid. To continue that Wednesday, it can’t let Boyle and Latch get much space. That may come via Superia Clark face-guarding Boyle.

Stat to know: 70.3%

Loyola’s biggest asset is its draw control dominance. Lacrosse Reference’s adjusted draw control efficiency — which measures teams’ win rate on the draw while eliminating wins that don’t lead to sustained possessions — ranks the Greyhounds as the third-best team in the country at 70.3%.

Boyle has been their main leader in the circle. Coming off a season where she totaled 208 wins, the senior has tallied 85 through nine games while also getting help from Lily Osborne (40 draw controls) and Latch (32). This has culminated in Loyola’s 18 draw controls per game, the third-best mark in the nation. With Syracuse’s inconsistencies in the circle this season, the Greyhounds should have the upper hand there Wednesday.

Player to watch: Chase Boyle, midfielder, No. 5

Boyle has starred alongside Latch in the Greyhounds’ offense in 2025. But it’s nothing new for the senior. Through her first three years, the Rumson, New Jersey, native increased both her goals and points total each campaign. In 2024, she produced a team-leading 85 goals and 16 assists for 101 points.

This year, with Black moving on, Boyle’s been thrust into a bigger role and thrived. Despite not being much of a facilitator with just three assists, her 35 goals are 15 more than Loyola’s next closest player and sixth in the country. She’s also been a force on the draw, ranking ninth nationally with 9.44 per game.

Published on March 18, 2025 at 9:40 pm
Contact Noah: njnussba@syr.edu | @ Noahnuss99