Former Virginia defender Olivia Bruno reportedly commits to Syracuse
Former Virginia defender Olivia Bruno has transferred to Syracuse, Inside Lacrosse Women reported Tuesday. Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor
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Former Virginia defender Olivia Bruno has transferred to Syracuse women’s lacrosse, Inside Lacrosse Women reported Tuesday. Bruno is the Orange’s first addition in the transfer portal since they bowed out in a 10-9 overtime defeat to No. 6 seed Navy in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on May 10.
Bruno was a surefire starter for the Cavaliers in 2024 and 2025, starting all 39 of their games after briefly cameoing in three in 2023. She emerged from the bench for Year 2 with 18 caused turnovers — second-best on UVA — and five ground balls. That continued on a steady increase in 2025 to a team-high 20 caused turnovers, notably nabbing a season-high three in the NCAA Tournament second round, and 12 ground balls.
The Victor, New York, native missed all of last season but is expected to be available to seize a crucial role on SU’s backline. It loses all-time caused turnovers leader Coco Vandiver, who’s helmed the center alley on defense. On the right flank, Mackenzie Salentre is graduating, too, and she was second on the Orange in ground balls. Sporadic starter Lexi Reber also announced her transfer portal intent.
Barring any other departures, SU can expect to roll out Bruno alongside the team’s single-season caused turnover leader, Izzy Lahah, and All-Atlantic Coast Conference Third Team member Kaci Benoit and likely another defender from the portal.
Bruno has ties to players in the program, hailing from a Rochester suburb, where she played for Monster Elite Lacrosse, the same place where multiple current Syracuse players developed, including leading scorer Molly Guzik and Ashlee Volpe.
