Former Syracuse midfielder Emma Muchnick joins Columbia’s coaching staff
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Former Syracuse women’s lacrosse midfielder Emma Muchnick has joined Columbia as an assistant coach, the Lions announced Tuesday. Muchnick played for the Orange from 2024-26 and was selected ninth overall by the California Palms in this year’s Women’s Lacrosse League College Draft.
Muchnick’s 73 goals across her three years at SU were the second-most of Syracuse’s players, just one shy of Emma Ward’s 74. Muchnick transferred to the Orange after playing as a reserve with Maryland in 2023, where she scored seven goals in 13 games.
While she remained on the bench as a sophomore with the Orange, Muchnick played every game, tallying 27 points en route to a Final Four appearance. That season earned her a spot on Team USA’s under-20 team in summer 2024, when she refound her game.
Muchnick’s summer paved the way for her junior breakout, when she led SU with 34 goals. She followed that up with 25 in 2026. The two-year stretch made her a desirable option for the Palms to select her in the top 10, alongside former Syracuse defender Coco Vandiver. In four games with California, Muchnick’s scored three goals and dished an assist.
Muchnick joins Ward as recent former Orange players to become coaches, with the latter taking an unspecified role at SU last year before later accepting an assistant coach position with Florida in June.
Muchnick will work under Columbia head coach Anne Murray in 2027 in her sixth year helming the Lions. Columbia went 1-6 in Ivy League play last year and aims to make its first NCAA Tournament in program history.
