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COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Syracuse head coach Kayla Treanor builds a difficult schedule for a reason. The Orange dominated UAlbany in their season-opener, but what does that prove?

If SU wants to go anywhere in the postseason, it must be tested, especially with a revamped roster. So, Syracuse will play 10 teams that made the 2024 NCAA Tournament and 11 in the Inside Lacrosse Preseason Poll.

The first of those matchups came Saturday versus No. 7 Maryland. And No. 6 Syracuse (2-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) dominated the Terrapins (0-1, 0-0 Big Ten), winning 15-9. Emma Ward notched five points in the first quarter, and SU’s defense held strong to take an 8-4 halftime lead. Despite Meghan Rode and Olivia Adamson struggling on the draw, the Orange closed out a comfortable victory and survived their first test of the year.

“It’s a huge step forward,” goalie Daniella Guyette said postgame. “Albany was a great opener but knowing that we can contend with the best and push forward, I think it’s setting us up for great success.”

In last year’s edition, the Orange took a halftime lead but surrendered it en route to a 9-8 double overtime loss. Saturday was much different. With many of the stars from that game gone — including four of UMD’s six leading scorers and most of SU’s starting defense — Syracuse flipped the script.

One big concern for both teams entering the game was their goalies. SU’s Delaney Sweitzer transferred to Northwestern, and Guyette slotted into her place. Guyette held her own versus UAlbany, only allowing six goals on 13 shots. Against the Terrapins, she said she felt more comfortable in net after facing consistent pressure, producing 11 saves.

For Maryland, with four-year starter Emily Sterling gone, JJ Suriano started her first collegiate game. But the sophomore struggled, surrendering 12 goals.

Early on, Ward gave her and UMD’s defense the most trouble. In a bigger role this season with key offensive contributors Emma Tyrrell and Natalie Smith gone, the graduate student tied her points total versus UAlbany (five) eight minutes in by contributing to the Orange’s first five goals.

On SU’s opening possession, Ward curled around from X, beating Suriano for the game’s first score. After Maryland’s Jordyn Lipkin ripped a shot past Guyette to make it 1-1, Ward quickly responded.

With Ward’s success, Treanor ran the offense through her. Ward distributed from X to Adamson, who buried SU’s second score. On the Orange’s next two possessions, she netted her second goal and assisted another to Princeton transfer Sam DeVito. She capped her run with a behind-the-back goal to give the Orange a 5-1 lead eight minutes in.

“She was ready to go right away,” Treanor said of Ward. “I think she’s a really dangerous player if you don’t slide to her, and she was able to just beat her matchup, get inside, and we just kept going to it.”

After calling a timeout, the Terrapins finally gained momentum after being held quiet to open the game. Rode was inconsistent on the draw versus the Great Danes, and she only won one of the first eight at Maryland, allowing UMD to cut its deficit to 5-3 on a free position from Kori Edmondson. Looking to mix things up, Treanor later subbed in Adamson to close the second.

But that was as close as Maryland got the rest of the way. Syracuse’s defense settled in, allowing just one second-quarter goal at the 1:11 mark. Guyette mentioned the unit — headlined by returners Kaci Benoit and Coco Vandiver — forced the Terrapins into extended possessions by cutting off inside lanes.

Maryland did get scoring chances, but freshman Devin Livingston — a top 10 recruit in the 2024 class — missed two straight free position shots. In response, SU commanded an 8-4 lead at halftime.

Four minutes into the third, Caroline Trinkaus made her mark. The freshman has become a key contributor through Syracuse’s first two games after a three-point performance against the Great Danes. First, Ward notched her sixth of a game-high seven points by dishing to Trinkaus. Two minutes later, Trinkaus made it 10-5, converting her third goal from close range.

During this time, Adamson — who accumulated 107 draws when Kate Mashewske was injured in 2023 — continued to start in the circle. But she wasn’t successful. Maryland won five of the first seven draw controls of the half and responded to Trinkaus’ scores with two of its own.

Still, Syracuse maintained a five-goal advantage heading into the mid-quarter media timeout. Freshman Mileena Cotter, who also broke out in SU’s season opener with three goals, heaved a desperate attempt at the end of the shot clock to take an 11-6 lead.

The Terrapins then subbed Julia Ward for Suriano in net, but it didn’t work. Adamson converted from the right of the goal, and Emma Muchnick added one more to make it 13-6 at the end of the third. This all but put the game out of reach, as the Orange let up in the fourth to win 15-9.

Syracuse utterly dominated Maryland in its first major test of 2025 despite a plethora of new faces across the board. This more than proves SU can still hang with the best of the best just two games into the season.

“Maryland’s a great program,” Treanor said. “They’re very young, playing a lot of new freshmen, but they’re a great team. It’s great to get a win on the road against a very good opponent.”

Published on February 15, 2025 at 1:23 pm

Contact Noah: njnussba@syr.edu | @ Noahnuss99