Vita Naihin’s equalizer vs. SMU exemplifies SU’s wingback reliance
Vita Naihin dribbles the ball across the pitch. Naihin produced the equalizer in Syracuse's 1-1 draw against SMU. Isaac Williams | Contributing Photographer
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Vita Naihin has always been an attacking player. At Queen’s University (Canada), she totaled six goals in 12 matches, one of which sent it to the Ontario University Athletics semifinal in 2023.
Her performances got the attention of head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams, who brought her and her twin, Leda Naihin, to SU in 2024. But with Erin Flurey, Ava Uribe and Maya McDermott all registering at least 15 starts in 18 games, she never played more than 40 minutes in a match in 2024.
Things have changed since then. In Adams’ new 3-5-2 formation, she needs players who can attack and defend on the flank to have the man-up advantage. And on Thursday, Syracuse (4-1-4, 0-0-1 Atlantic Coast) perfectly utilized its wingbacks to escape with a 1-1 draw against SMU (5-2-1, 0-0-1 ACC). Naihin equalized the game seven minutes after the Mustangs scored, right before the end of the first half.
“Vita is so smart. She gives us a calming presence on the field, but in a very attacking way and that’s what she did. She is box to box. She’s fit enough to do it,” Adams said.
Naihin still has not started a game for Syracuse. But she’s had many more opportunities to make an impact in 2025.
There are four main phases of soccer: in possession, out of possession, defensive transition and attacking transition. The wingbacks are involved in all four.
In possession, the wingbacks hug the touchline to offer an option beyond SU’s three center backs – Bree Bridges, Jasmine Nixon and Natalie Magnotta – off the restart. Once Syracuse plays through that line, the wingbacks effectively become another forward and are expected to add dynamism, which Naihin brings even without goal-line technology. Six goals this season have come from a wingback goal or assist.
On the other hand, if possession is lost, they are busting a gut to return to their defensive position, giving Syracuse a back five with two defensive midfielders in front of them. That’s why the Orange have been so stable defensively.
“No one’s going to be able to break it if we do it right. We’re really confident with this new shape we have,” Syracuse captain Ashley Rauch said.
It’s easily the most rotated position on the Syracuse team. Even though Gabby Wisbeck and Kendyl Lauher have started all nine games at the wingback positions, Adams frequently alternates the position in games. And in the 21st minute, Naihin received her turn.
Four minutes later, so did Julia Arbelaez. But SMU captain Lydia Unagshick struck first after Syracuse failed to clear the Mustangs’ service, and it felt like a story of old. The Orange fell behind in eight of its 10 ACC matches in 2024. None of those ended up in wins or ties.
“We’ve got to be better in those areas because we have the height to put them away,” Adams said.
Syracuse, which entered its first Atlantic Coast Conference match with a winning record for the fourth time in five seasons, still had many questions to answer as its 1,082-day ACC winless run loomed large.
Would the barren run continue? Will they stick or twist in the face of superior competition? Is SU’s strong nonconference start a fallacy, or is it just the start? Unagshick’s goal seemingly answered all those questions.
But Thursday was different. On the stroke of halftime, a poor goal kick eventually found the feet of Julia Coval. She played it to Arbelaez, who was sprinting into open space on the left. Naihin waited until Arbelaez received the ball.
After she did, Naihin motored to the back post, with SMU defender Claire Jones none the wiser. Once Arbelaez maneuvered her way down the left flank, the freshman delivered an enticing cross to the back post, and Naihin used her hip to beat Aubrey Brown low.
It might not have been that elusive ACC win that Syracuse was hoping for. However, it played well enough to secure a win, and it stemmed from the inspired wingback play.
SU might not have ended its barren conference winless run. But for now, Thursday was indisputably a step in the right direction.
“We definitely want to get the wins in these matchups when it is close,” Rauch said.
