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A double-digit-game win streak is foreign to Syracuse’s players who weren’t on its 2023 Final Four team, which won its first 15 games. Last year, SU’s longest stretch lasted four contests.

But lo and behold, the 2026 Orange are defying odds during what seemed to be a transition year. Being ranked as low as No. 15 in the Inside Lacrosse Poll, transitioning to a new head coach and losing two program icons — Emma Ward and Olivia Adamson — didn’t promise much.

Calling on players who were excluded from last year’s rotation sparked the change more than external talent. The rapid emergence of Molly Guzik, Mackenzie Rich and Izzy Lahah helped SU to a 10-game winning streak down the stretch of its season.

Here’s everything to know before No. 3 Syracuse (10-3, 5-2 Atlantic Coast) looks to extend that streak to 11 against No. 18 Duke (9-4, 5-2 ACC) Saturday:

All-time series

Syracuse leads 9-2.

Last time they played

Duke was one of two ACC teams Syracuse didn’t face last year. So, their last meeting dates back to March 2, 2024, when the Orange put the Saturday matinee in the JMA Wireless Dome out of reach early, leading 10-3 at halftime and eventually winning 15-8.

It was another day in the office for Emma Tyrrell, who nabbed a game-high five goals in what would become a career-best 70-goal season. Three of them came in just over a three-minute span in the opening minutes, helping SU to a six-goal advantage about eight minutes in.

Syracuse supported Tyrrell with nine other scorers, including defenders Superia Clark and Kaci Benoit. The Orange also caused a season-high 16 turnovers, and the unit’s 21 ground balls were one shy of a season high. Meanwhile, the draw performance was never dubious, with Kate Mashewske winning 11 of SU’s 20.

The Blue Devils report

Syracuse hasn’t played an offense as explosive as Duke’s since the Orange faced then-No. 1 North Carolina in mid-February. The Blue Devils score 14.5 goals per game, third in the ACC, topped by Ava Biancardi’s 38. Their 48.5% shot percentage is fourth best in the conference.

The production doesn’t drop off after Biancardi. Avery Doran (35), Quinn Whitaker (30) and Bella Goodwin (28) have all added 20-plus goals. Duke has six total players with double-digit scores, one of whom is Eva Pronti, who’s also dished out the second-most assists in the conference (41).

The Blue Devils’ defense is shaky. Their 11.15 goals allowed per game is the fourth-worst mark in the ACC, and goalie Hope Schoudel has one of the conference’s lowest save percentages at 38.8%. Duke doesn’t have a single player north of 30 ground balls or caused turnovers, with Amanda Paci the most viable at 22 and 28, respectively.

The Blue Devils shine brightest on the draw, where their 17.2 controls per game pilot the ACC and sit among the top 10 in the country. That stems from Ellie White, whose 140 wins spearhead the conference by nearly 40.

How Syracuse beats Duke

In nearly every media availability and postgame press conference this season, Regy Thorpe has mentioned draw success as a necessity. He knows the Orange will run into tough cookies to crack along the way, and White is certainly one of them.

While the responsibility to dethrone the Duke junior lies on Guzik’s shoulders, she’s also responsible for commanding the Orange’s offensive surge. She’s scored in every game this season. SU could use help from Caroline Trinkaus and its midfielders, who combined for five goals Tuesday at Cornell.

Dealing with three 30-goal scorers, let alone one, is arduous. But Syracuse has arguably the most improved defender in the country in Lahah, who’s up to 34 ground balls and 35 caused turnovers. And she’s just one layer of a four-headed backline monster.

Stat to know: 9.15

While Syracuse ranks above Duke in the Inside Lacrosse Poll, the Blue Devils are far more dominant on draw controls. Duke’s 9.15 draws-per-game advantage over SU is drastic, and White is coming off her hottest three-game stretch of the season, controlling 41 draws across the span.

While she’s one of the preeminent specialists in the nation, SU has the tools to flip this trend. Although Guzik hasn’t reached double-digit draw wins in a game this season, she still emerges as the best offensive player on the field. This game’s fate relies on her, or other specialists in the committee like Joely Caramelli or Ireland Mistretta, to at least remain competitive.

Player to watch: Ava Biancardi, attack, No. 23

When Duke takes the field, don’t expect to spot Biancardi. You might be wondering where the Blue Devils’ leading scorer is. Did she get hurt?

The reality is, no, she didn’t. Biancardi has come off the bench in all 13 games this season and never disappoints when called upon. The redshirt junior’s fresh legs have given Duke the fire to embark on two three-game winning streaks.

Biancardi’s 2.64 expected goals added per game are in the 87th percentile in the country, per Lacrosse Reference. The attack has strung together three five-goal performances and seven hat tricks despite her unorthodox usage.

Published on April 1, 2026 at 11:03 pm
Contact Jason: jaglick@syr.edu | @jason_glick