5-star Peyton Rothfuss flips to SU women’s lacrosse from Florida
Class of 2026 five-star attack Peyton Rothfuss flipped from Florida to SU, she announced Saturday. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
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Class of 2026 five-star attack Peyton Rothfuss has flipped from Florida to Syracuse, she announced on social media Saturday morning. Rothfuss’ switch comes after Gators assistant coach Regy Thorpe became SU’s fourth head coach in program history earlier this month.
Rothfuss has been a varsity starter at Penfield High School (New York) since eighth grade. Over four years with the Patriots, she’s accumulated 179 goals, 93 assists and 272 points. As a junior in 2025, she notched career-highs with 64 goals, 38 assists and 102 points.
She originally committed to Florida in September, citing the weather and facilities in the Sunshine State as her primary reasons, per Inside Lacrosse. However, she has plenty of Orange connections. Besides Thorpe’s move to SU, former Syracuse All-American Emily Hawryschuk is Rothfuss’ cousin on her mother’s side.
The New York product is a welcome addition after the Orange’s dwindling recruiting classes. Top 2025 recruits Alexa Spallina and Aubrie Eisfeld flipped to Clemson last summer. Then, No. 1 2026 goalie Reagan O’Donovan switched to Penn State to follow former SU head coach Kayla Treanor after she filled the Nittany Lions’ vacancy in late May.
Syracuse will look different next season with Thorpe, a former Orange assistant coach, at the helm. But with Rothfuss’ commitment, it’s clear he’s already working to improve upon Syracuse’s disappointing 2025 season.
