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Syracuse was reeling. Its four-goal lead evaporated in less than three minutes. A potential marquee conference win was on the brink of becoming a catastrophic loss, and SU’s three-game win streak was in serious jeopardy.

Enter Caroline Trinkaus to save the day. With Syracuse and Virginia tied 12-12 in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter on March 29, 2025, Trinkaus notched an unassisted goal to give the Orange a thrilling victory. Abby Manalang’s two fourth-quarter goals nearly gave the Cavaliers a stunning win, but SU prevailed.

It was SU’s 15th win in its last 17 tries against UVA. It wasn’t always pretty, but it continued a stretch of decade-long dominance against the Cavaliers.

Three hundred fifty-seven days later, the Orange had another opportunity to keep up that dominance. They were riding a six-game win streak into Saturday’s contest with an inconsistent Virginia team still finding its footing.

Similar to last season, Saturday’s game wasn’t pretty, but it still resulted in a win. Behind a balanced scoring effort and strong second-half defense, No. 9 Syracuse beat No. 20 Virginia 6-5 Saturday for its seventh straight win.

Here are some observations from SU’s (7-3, 4-2 Atlantic Coast) narrow victory over UVA (5-6, 3-3 ACC):

Balanced scoring

Molly Guzik has been SU’s offensive engine across its six-game win streak. Three goals against then-No. 13 Loyola on Feb. 24. Four against Louisville on Feb. 28 and Virginia Tech on March 6. A whopping six against then-No. 4 Northwestern on March 12.

Syracuse spread the wealth Saturday. Yes, Guzik had two first-half goals. But it was a more balanced scoring effort.

Mileena Cotter was held scoreless against Yale and Northwestern, but got back in the scoring column with a first-period goal Saturday. On a feed from Annie Parker, Cotter briefly broke a 1-1 tie to put the Orange in front.

While Parker started in place of Ashlee Volpe against the Cavaliers, both still contributed. First, it was Parker with an unassisted goal late in the first quarter to put SU up 3-2. Then, after SU allowed two unanswered goals in the second, Volpe gave the Orange the lead back with a strike.

Midway through the third, Trinkaus added to the party. Her heroics propelled Syracuse to a narrow victory in 2025, and her third-period goal did the same Saturday. While Virginia stuck around, who knows what the result would’ve been without Trinkaus’ goal.

Going through Guzik is an effective strategy for Syracuse’s offense. But Saturday showed that even when Guzik isn’t scoring four or more goals, SU’s attack can do just enough to come out on top.

Galica’s early magic

Madison Taylor. Olivia Adamson. Mia Pozzi.

Syracuse has held numerous offensive superstars in check this season. Head coach Regy Thorpe has consistently preached the importance of defense, and SU’s been stellar on that end recently.

It was a different story with UVA’s Kate Galica Saturday. Galica scored 47 goals and earned All-ACC First Team honors in 2025, and led the Cavaliers with 20 goals this season, entering Saturday.

SU struggled containing her from the get-go. Daniella Guyette was outstanding in Syracuse’s 6-5 win over Yale Tuesday, but Galica scored to tie the game at one just five minutes into the first quarter. With the Cavaliers down 2-1 later in the frame, Galica assisted a Jayden Piraino goal to even the score.

Trailing 4-3 midway through the second, Galica had another magic trick up her sleeve. Off a dish from Madison Alaimo, she fired a laser past Guyette to tie the contest at four. No matter the shot or pass difficulty, Galica made things difficult for SU in the first half.

Galica didn’t have the same level of success in the third. She didn’t play poorly by any means, but wasn’t as electric as she was early on. Syracuse’s offense couldn’t take advantage, but its defense must’ve unlocked a recipe for containing Galica at halftime.

Dull third quarter

It’s not hyperbole to say Syracuse’s turnaround began in the third quarter of its Loyola win. The Orange erupted for seven third-quarter goals, turning a tight battle into a blowout.

Against No. 5 Yale on Tuesday, however, SU stumbled in the third. While it led 5-3 at halftime behind a Guyette masterclass in goal, the Bulldogs injected fear into the Orange with an Ashley Newman goal late in the frame. SU was still on top 5-4, but its offense was stymied until early in the fourth.

It was more of the same Saturday. Outside of Trinkaus’ goal, the Orange couldn’t get anything going on offense. Whether it was UVA’s swarming defense or simply missed opportunities, SU’s attack was held at bay.

Elyse Finnelle was also a brick wall in net. Whatever the Orange tried to test her with didn’t work, and there was no breathing room this time around.

The scoreboard may indicate Syracuse controlled the period. If anything, it was the Cavaliers who did. UVA’s defensive momentum turned into offense midway through the fourth, and Livy Laverghetta made it a one-goal game.

Free-position success

Guzik has scored from the left. She’s scored from the right. She’s gone low-to-high with her stick. No matter the angle, she’s made it work.

On Saturday, much of her success came from free-position shots. After an early foul on UVA’s Alexandra Schneider, Guzik scored on a free-position shot to give the Orange a 1-0 lead.

Then it was Parker’s turn. Due to a foul on Virginia’s Sophia Conti, Syracuse was gifted a free-position chance late in the first quarter. With little hesitation, she rifled one past Finnelle to regain SU’s lead.

Just two minutes into the second, Guzik made magic happen on another free-position shot. On another Schneider foul, she scored to extend Syracuse’s advantage to 4-2.

The free-position success is nothing new for Syracuse. Against then-No. 1 North Carolina on Feb. 13, the Orange notched three free-position goals. In its 13-3 thrashing of Virginia Tech two weeks ago, Syracuse added three more.

Published on March 21, 2026 at 4:24 pm
Contact Spencer: sabrod@syr.edu | @spencerbrod20