Offensive breakthrough powers Syracuse women’s soccer past Princeton 3-0
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Syracuse’s offense entered 2026 with more questions than answers.
Mia Klammer and Ashley Rauch, who combined for 13 goals last season, graduated. Maya McDermott, who also scored twice, left for USC. Of the Orange’s 22 goals, only four came from returners.
To replace SU’s top-three scorers — Klammer, Rauch and McDermott — head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams attacked the portal, grabbing eight transfers, including Michigan’s Vickie Jones, Tennessee’s Ali Howard and UConn’s Farrah Stephens-Martin.
They’ve made an immediate impact. Jones, who dealt with injuries at Michigan, scored twice in the Orange’s 3-1 win over Holy Cross on Aug. 16. While Stephens-Martin didn’t score in SU’s first three games, she flashed her speed — a quality that made her potent at UConn.
And Sunday, Syracuse’s offensive additions were difference makers in its most convincing win of the season. SU (3-0-1, 0-0-0 Atlantic Coast) downed Princeton (1-1-0, 0-0-0 Ivy) 3-0 behind Jones and Stephens-Martin’s goals. Abby Incorvaia added her second score in two games, and SU’s defense locked down Princeton’s attack despite second-half rain.
“The way they came out in the second half and nailed it immediately; I think the rain was just one more thing we had to manage, and they did it comfortably,” Thrasher Adams said postgame. “Our technical ability didn’t drop because it was wet. Really proud of them because (the rain) could be a game changer.”
Contrary to Syracuse, Princeton returned most of last season’s offense. Of the Tigers’ 24 goals, 21 came from returners.
Unlike the Orange, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2012, Princeton’s experienced recent success. Despite losing the Ivy League Final last season, the Tigers made the NCAA Tournament in 2023 and 2024.
Sunday wasn’t as significant of a test as ACC play for Syracuse, but a talented Princeton squad was a solid precursor.
After back-and-forth opening minutes, Princeton’s Stella Monberg tested SU goalie Maya Naimoli with a shot. Naimoli, who transferred after two seasons with Youngstown State, was prepared, easily making the save.
Princeton controlled possession early on but couldn’t convert against Syracuse’s new-look formation. After starting in a 3-5-2, Thrasher Adams experimented with a 4-5-1 Thursday against Northwestern, and it reaped benefits with a shutout. SU opted to keep it against Princeton.
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Abby Incorvaia’s first-career college goal lifted Syracuse women’s soccer past Northwestern 1-0 Thursday. The sophomore converted her penalty kick with 39 seconds remaining after VAR determined a Wildcats handball in the box.
Whenever the Tigers generated quality chances in the box, SU’s backline, headlined by Old Dominion transfer Kendall Mesh and Bree Bridges, swarmed them and gave them little breathing room.
Gabby Wisbeck was frequently around the ball early as a facilitator, but SU’s first true scoring chance came on a set piece – something it’s excelled at through four games. After Incorvaia was fouled on the edge of the box, Syracuse had its first penalty kick.
After converting its last nine penalty kicks, SU made it 10. This time, Jones slotted the ball into the left corner, past a diving Cecilia Cerone in goal. It was Jones’ third goal in four games, already tripling her total from four years at Michigan.
As Princeton played faster to begin the second half, Syracuse looked calmer and more methodical. Julia Arbelaez nearly scored on a fastbreak before a Sydney Romano save.
But the Orange’s offense came alive in the 59th minute. It didn’t just score once. It scored twice in 21 seconds.
Following a Mesh throw-in, Howard evaded two defenders outside the box and fired a cross to Incorvaia. Without hesitation, Incorvaia headed the ball into the net, fooling Romano to double SU’s lead.
“Scoring on a stage like this is incredible,” Incorvaia said. “I have my teammates around me, and the feeling is unmatched.”
Thrasher Adams said postgame that her eyes were on Incorvaia throughout the recruiting process, and she told herself, “I gotta get that kid to Syracuse.”
“So glad we have her, and I think she was a total freshman last year, just trying to learn the lay of the land and figure it out, she was playing multiple positions,” Thrasher Adams said. “This year we have really solidified her. Narrowing what her strengths are and what to focus on has made her a tremendous player.”
Just 21 seconds later, Syracuse struck again.
Stephens-Martin, who displayed blazing speed in the first half, did it again on a fastbreak. Stephens-Martin beat Romano to a breakaway ball as it trickled into the net.
“I thought attacking wise, good decisions on when to take players on, when to slow it down,” Thrasher Adams said of Stephens-Martin’s play. “The goal was a fantastic little ball over the top. Great finish.”
Conference matchups may lead to a different result. SU’s new look could be stymied by the ACC’s best. But for now, Thrasher Adams and Co. are seeing quick returns from their offensive transfers.
