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Syracuse possessed a huge opportunity Saturday.

For one, a victory against Virginia would establish SU’s first first four-game winning streak of the season. The last time the Orange held such a streak was over a year ago on March 23, 2024. Not only that, but a triumph against another ranked foe would prove Syracuse had finally found rhythm without Olivia Adamson.

The Orange wouldn’t have been in that position without narrowly escaping then-No. 21 Notre Dame last weekend. Syracuse’s habit of letting sizable leads slip away nearly cost it the game. Led by Caroline Trinkaus’ two strikes in the opening seven minutes, SU forced ND into a 4-1 hole heading into the second quarter.

While the Orange’s attack sputtered across the next three frames, the Fighting Irish’s weapons heated up. Behind stellar goaltending from Isabel Pithie, Notre Dame knotted things up at eight apiece entering the final frame. SU’s offense gave it a late boost with a 3-0 run, setting up its eventual 12-11 win.

Against the Cavaliers Saturday, the Orange once again did just enough to win. Holding a 12-8 lead to start the fourth quarter, SU let the Cavaliers claw back via a 4-0 run, but escaped with the narrow victory via a Trinkaus free-position goal.

Here are some observations from No. 7 Syracuse’s (8-4, 4-2 Atlantic Coast) 13-12 win over No. 11 Virginia (7-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast) Saturday:

Strong finishes

Even when its offense is firing on all cylinders, Syracuse has been kept in check by hot goalkeepers multiple times in 2025. Last time out against Notre Dame, that was the case. SU head coach Kayla Treanor even complimented ND’s Pithie postgame, who matched Daniella Guyette’s .500 save percentage despite facing 24 shots on target.

Conversely, the Cavaliers’ goalkeeping — holding a lowly .394 save percentage — has been atrocious. The Orange took full advantage against Mel Josephson Saturday.

Just over a minute in, Josephson denied SU’s first free-position bid from the 8-meter line. After surrendering a man-up tally to Emma Ward, she denied the veteran attacker on her next chance from range. Supported by Josephson’s four saves in the first, the Cavaliers sent the game into the second quarter tied at five apiece.

But in the second, things started to break down for the veteran goalie. Syracuse’s offense carried its momentum from the first quarter into the second, and Jospehson couldn’t keep up. Led by Gracie Britton’s two, the Orange netted four goals before halftime to establish their largest lead of the day, 9-6.

From there, SU continued to make the most of its on-target chances. Of the five on-target shots Syracuse managed across the third and fourth quarters, four of them fooled Josephson. The goalie finished with just a .381 save percentage despite a strong start.

Special teams strength

Syracuse’s new-look offense has taken strides across its recent string of wins, but still has had its hiccups. Misplaced passes, a knack for coughing up the ball and a largely undecided draw unit have consistently withheld it from statement victories in 2025. Still, if there’s one thing SU has down to a tee, it’s been the power play.

The Orange have scored two-plus player-up goals in 9-of-11 games this season, including four in each of their last two. On Saturday, the ACC’s most consistent player-advantage group turned in another strong outing.

After drawing a green card early, Syracuse wasted no time taking advantage. At the 12:24 mark, Ward — now back in her usual spot at X — orchestrated SU’s player-up unit from behind the net. Curling to the top of the 12-meter fan, she wired a shot through traffic into the cage to open the scoring.

Surrendering five of the next six goals after Ward’s initial tally, Syracuse again looked to its special teams to regain control. With 3:06 remaining in the first quarter, the unit rose to the occasion with its first free-position goal of the afternoon. The marker sparked a 5-0 Syracuse run that extended into the second quarter.

Held silent in the third quarter and through much of the fourth, SU’s unit made its presence felt one last time. Tied at 12, Trinkaus’ free-position tally broke the deadlock and proved to be the game winner, finishing off a strong special-teams day for Syracuse.

Foul trouble

Following the Notre Dame game, Treanor addressed her team’s glaring penalty problem, which has punished SU since game one. Besides Virginia Tech and California, no ACC team has surrendered more goals while down a player than Syracuse (18).

SU had the chance to be the more disciplined team against Virginia, which entered the contest with 119 fouls — the ninth most nationally. But instead of limiting their fouls, the Orange stooped down to their opponent. Showing control early, Syracuse allowed Virginia to make the first mistakes.

Chopping at Emma Muchnick’s stick, Kate Galica was assessed the game’s first green card, which translated into Ward’s tally. Madison Alaimo also earned a foul for illegally using her stick, but the Orange couldn’t make her pay. As the first half progressed, penalties became more commonplace for both sides. The Orange and Cavaliers evenly split 22 fouls in the half alone.

While the Cavaliers cleaned up their act in the third quarter, Syracuse’s knack for taking penalties lingered. In the final five minutes, Joely Caramelli’s green card served up a timely player-up chance for UVA. Just as the penalty expired, the Cavaliers converted.

Defending its lead halfway through the fourth quarter, Syracuse’s lack of discipline again proved costly. Following Ana Horvit’s foul, Fiona Allen burned the Orange on the ensuing free-position chance to draw UVA even at 12 apiece.

Looking to finally solve its discipline issue against a more penalized opponent, Syracuse found more reason for concern instead.

Guyette’s two-sided performance

In her first season as Syracuse’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Guyette has looked comfortable. Despite playing behind a newly assembled defensive core, her steadiness in net has helped stabilize SU’s backline against some of the country’s most dangerous shooters.

Even after logging consecutive sub-.350 save percentages against then-No. 7 Johns Hopkins and Pittsburgh, the junior found a way to right the ship. But faced with the Cavaliers’ top producers in Alaimo and Jenna Dinardo, Guyette looked lost.

The afternoon couldn’t have started much worse. Other than turning aside Dinardo’s opening bid from close range, the first quarter was a forgettable one for the junior goalie. Finishing a lowly 1-for-6 on saves in the frame, her struggles epitomized a disastrous first quarter for the Orange. The Cavaliers embarked on a 3-0 run, beating Guyette five times in the frame.

However, between the first and second quarters, Guyette flipped a switch. As Syracuse’s defense tightened up, Guyette responded, showing her first quarter struggles hadn’t shaken her. Surrendering just one more goal before halftime, her bounce-back frame helped SU establish a 9-6 edge entering the half.

As Syracuse’s offense heated up in the third quarter, Guyette was called upon less. Tasked with nine shots on target the rest of the contest, all she could do was watch as Syracuse’s offense ballooned its lead further. But in the final frame, Guyette’s blunders resurfaced. Her 0-for-4 on saves in the frame nearly cost SU the game.

Published on March 29, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Contact Matthew: mgray06@syr.edu | @ma77hew_gray