Syracuse’s all-time assist leader Emma Ward joins Florida’s coaching staff
Former SU attack and graduate assistant Emma Ward has joined Florida’s coaching staff, the Gators announced Thursday. Leonardo Eriman | Daily Orange File Photo
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.
Former Syracuse attack and assistant coach Emma Ward has joined Florida women’s lacrosse’s coaching staff as an assistant coach, the Gators announced Thursday. Ward starred at SU from 2021-25, becoming the program’s all-time assists leader, and spent the 2026 season on Regy Thorpe’s staff as a graduate assistant.
“I am grateful and beyond excited for the opportunity to join such a historic and successful program at the University of Florida,” Ward said in a press release. “Florida has long been one of the premier programs in collegiate lacrosse, and it’s an honor to be a part of a program built on excellence and championship-level expectations.”
In 2026, Ward’s presence on the sideline was crucial for the Orange. She unlocked many of her former teammates’ potential and served as a calming presence. She’ll likely strive for a similar impact with Florida, which finished 15-4 last season and fell to Denver in the NCAA Tournament First Round.
Before her graduate year, Ward etched her name in Syracuse’s record books as one of its greatest attacks ever. The Babylon, New York, native finished her career as one of two SU players ever with 150-plus goals and 160-plus assists. Her 324 points rank seventh on Syracuse’s all-time list, and she paired with Olivia Adamson to form one of the program’s most lethal attack duos.
Despite suffering an injury as a sophomore, Ward bounced back and earned All-American honors each of the next three years. She appeared in 83 games and made 56 starts over five seasons at SU.
