What to watch for as each Syracuse fall sport settles into 2026
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Syracuse’s fall sports teams have begun their seasons, and there’s plenty to be excited about.
SU football looks to put its abysmal 2025 campaign behind it, with quarterback Steve Angeli back under center and a revamped defense led by new defensive coordinator Vince Kehres.
On the pitch, the Orange’s men’s and women’s soccer teams aim to build on relatively encouraging nonconference slates as Atlantic Coast Conference play begins. At the neighboring J.S. Coyne Stadium, Syracuse field hockey is seeking the ultimate prize — a national title — after ranking ninth nationwide to open the season, but it must overcome the large hole left by Bo van Kempen’s departure.
The Daily Orange Sports Staff compiled a list of what to watch for in each sport as Syracuse takes the field, pitch, court and trail this fall. Here’s what they came up with:
Football
Syracuse football spent most of its offseason trying to flush a disastrous 2025 campaign. The Orange lost eight straight games after Angeli tore his Achilles in Week 4, ending Fran Brown’s second season at the helm with a paltry 3-9 record.
But Angeli is back, and with him, the Orange are looking to rebound. SU went 10-3 two seasons ago, and Brown wants to capitalize on what’s left of that momentum in 2026.
Angeli is a familiar face for the Orange offense, which — pending Justus Ross-Simmons’ status — may lose its top seven leaders in receiving yards and top three leaders in rushing yards from last season. He’ll look to continue the form he reached through four weeks last year, when he ranked second in the nation in passing yards.
The defense has more turnover, but it’ll be led by a brand new face in Kehres, Toledo’s former defensive coordinator. Kehres looks to turn around the Orange’s defense after it was one of the country’s worst-performing units last year. He has some firepower in his arsenal with defensive backs Chris Peal and Demetres Samuel Jr., as well as linebackers Antoine Deslauriers and Toledo transfer Chris D’Appolonia.
Syracuse’s 2026 schedule doesn’t appear as difficult as 2025, but there will be multiple challenges. The Orange’s nine-game ACC slate features No. 24 Louisville, No. 19 SMU, Clemson and Virginia, while SU faces No. 4 Notre Dame in its regular-season finale.
Men’s Soccer
Syracuse men’s soccer has started hot in 2026. Its three wins in four nonconference games are already more than in 2025, when the Orange started slow, picked up form late, but collapsed at the end.
Syracuse men’s soccer battles Loyola at SU Soccer Stadium on Aug. 28. The Orange’s men’s and women’s soccer teams have picked up encouraging home wins to begin the season. Tara Deluca | Photo Editor
Many of the questions surrounding SU entering Ian McIntyre’s 17th season as head coach have been answered. A litany of attacking quality, including players like Jordan Grey, Pedro Gulli and Landon Darko, has accounted for more goal contributions among Syracuse forwards than last season. Kyle Jansen also looks fairly comfortable since taking over in net for Tomas Hut, and a reshuffled defense looks as, or even more, secure than before.
It’ll be very interesting to see if Syracuse’s early-season success will be on display against No. 18 Clemson Friday, the Orange’s biggest test of the season thus far.
Women’s Soccer
After losing its all-time saves leader Shea Vanderbosch and top three scorers from 2025, Syracuse women’s soccer is tasked with replenishing its spine while retaining 15 players from last year.
SU’s 3-1-2 record shows the adjustments have worked to an extent. Strong offensive transfers have excelled, like striker Ali Howard — the daughter of former United States Men’s National Team goalie Tim Howard — and midfielder Vickie Jones, who’s scored a team-high three goals. They’ve helped Syracuse transition from a 3-5-2 to 4-5-1 formation.
But the Orange’s most important transfer is former Youngstown State goalkeeper Maya Naimoli. She’s already won ACC Goalkeeper of the Week and posted four shutouts, which included a dominant 3-0 win over Princeton. Now, SU must sustain the momentum in ACC play, where it’s a wretched 4-55-7 in its first seven seasons under head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams and went 1,112 days without a win.
Field Hockey
Syracuse field hockey must find a new way to win after van Kempen’s departure. By netting a team-high 23 goals and adding seven assists, she propelled SU to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight last year, where it fell to No. 2 Princeton.
Despite her absence, Syracuse was still ranked No. 9 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Preseason Poll. SU retained sophomore star Aubrey Turner, who started in all 20 games for the Orange last season, but it’ll also rely on nine freshmen to help it return to the NCAA Tournament. Freshman Jovie Weaver didn’t hesitate to make her name known, scoring in both of SU’s opening matchups to support the squad’s 2-0 start.
Volleyball
Syracuse opened its season by getting swept in straight sets against Cincinnati and Illinois last weekend. The Orange’s struggles in the 2020s have been well documented, but with a new-look roster, they can put the past behind them.
Syracuse volleyball’s Kiernan Stamey (8) celebrates with a teammate during SU’s loss to Illinois on Aug. 30. The Orange are off to a 0-2 start after retaining one player from last year’s roster. Courtesy of Illinois Athletics
Keep an eye on newcomers Charis Burge and Kiernan Stamey. The two started both matches and played a vital role in SU’s rotation. Burge provided 49 assists through the weekend, while Stamey led the offense with two 13-kill performances.
The only returner from last season, Marie Laurio, has proven her prowess on both sides of the ball. Laurio notched 13 kills Saturday and a double-double Sunday. Laurio, Burge and Stamey will have a tremendous responsibility as the Orange continue nonconference play.
Cross Country
After finishing second at the ACC Championships and fourth at the NCAA Championships, Syracuse men’s cross country enters 2026 as the ACC’s No. 1 team. The Orange look to win their first ACC Championship since 2019 and first national title since 2015.
Senior Benne Anderson leads the way for SU. Anderson had a great junior season, earning All-ACC honors and being named to the USTFCCCA All-Northeast Region Team.
On the women’s side, Syracuse enters the season with a young and exciting group. The Orange have no seniors on the roster, with eight juniors making up the team’s most experienced class.
Jayden Harberts is one to watch for the women’s team after a first-place finish to open last season at the Harry Lang Invitational.
