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Syracuse women’s lacrosse started the 2025 campaign 3-0, including a marquee win over then-No. 7 Maryland.

But everything went awry Saturday when the Orange traveled to No. 2 North Carolina. Syracuse was disadvantaged from the get-go, with leading goal scorer Olivia Adamson missing the game. Without the senior, SU looked anemic on offense, producing just 27 shots and only having five different scorers.

The Tar Heels exploded to an 8-2 first-quarter lead, and SU never stood a chance after that. Despite holding UNC to just four second-half goals, North Carolina’s defense and goalie Betty Nelson remained strong, leading to a 16-8 defeat. The loss was also propelled by Syracuse’s continued struggles on the draw control, as both Meghan Rode and Molly Guzik contributed to an 18-9 disadvantage in the circle.

SU has another tough game Tuesday against No. 3 Northwestern. The contest will mark goalie Delaney Sweitzer’s return to the JMA Wireless Dome after transferring to the Wildcats in the offseason. NU lost in the 2024 National Championship to Boston College and has remained strong to begin this season, too.

Here’s everything to know about No. 3 Northwestern (4-1, 0-0 Big Ten) before it faces No. 5 Syracuse (3-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) Tuesday:

All time series

Northwestern leads 11-8.

Last time they played …

On Feb. 10, 2024, the two squads suited up for their season openers. Then-No. 1 Northwestern jumped out to an 8-2 advantage after the first quarter, and despite then-No. 5 SU reeling it closer through the next three quarters, the Wildcats prevailed 18-15.

Although then-freshman Kaci Benoit limited two-time Tewaaraton Award winner Izzy Scane to just three goals, the Wildcats’ trio of Scane, Madison Taylor and Erin Coykendall accounted for 18 of the team’s 27 points. Additionally, the Orange couldn’t find a rhythm on the draw control, with a 24-13 disparity leading to the tight loss.

Syracuse freshman Mileena Cotter celebrates with junior Gracie Britton after scoring a goal versus then-No. 7 Maryland on Feb. 15. Cotter has started her college career strong with five goals through four games. Aaron Hammer | Staff Photographer

The Wildcats report

Northwestern marks the second of five straight ranked matchups for the Orange. Last season, NU blew a 6-0 lead to BC in the National Championship. Entering this season as the No. 2 team in the country, it has a much different outlook in 2025.

Last year, the Wildcats were led by Scane, Taylor and Coykendall, who each registered over 100 points. However, Scane was the focal point, leading the country with 88 goals and winning her second straight Tewaaraton Award. But this season, Scane and Coykendall are gone, leaving Taylor to lead Northwestern’s attack.

The junior has been magnificent thus far, scoring 35 points and 26 goals through five games. Other than Taylor, though, no other attacker has stood out, with Riley Campbell and Emerson Bohlig, the next highest goal scorers, with nine apiece. Still, the Wildcats have bulldozed through their competition thus far outside of the Eagles, outscoring opponents 78-23 in their four wins.

While this margin can be credited to Northwestern’s attack, its defense and goalies have been strong, too. It ranks 14th with a 20.5% defensive efficiency rate, per Lacrosse Reference. In net, Sweitzer didn’t start the first two games but has started the last three, amassing 14 saves and a .424 save percentage. She also allowed just six combined goals in dominant wins over Niagara and then-No. 25 Colorado.

How Syracuse beats Northwestern

There’s a chance Adamson will be out again versus Northwestern. If so, the Wildcats will likely stick their best defender on Emma Ward, following UNC’s blueprint from Saturday that kept her relatively quiet. So, the Orange need to spread the ball around more. Getting production from multiple outlets will not only keep Syracuse in the game but may also free up space for Ward.

The Orange also need to lock down on defense. Daniella Guyette was bombarded with shots by the Tar Heels, saving 50% of them and registering a career-high 16 saves. However, she also allowed 16 goals on 51 shots. If SU can limit shots on net, it may lead to a stronger showing from Guyette.

Stat to Know: 19

While no player has starred alongside Taylor like Scane and Coykendall did the last two years, Northwestern has gotten production from all over the board. Nineteen different players have scored goals, with eight producing five-plus. The unit as a whole has taken 181 shots to its opponents’ 96, producing a .481 shot percentage and .735 shot-on-goal percentage.

Player to watch: Madison Taylor, attack, No. 25

Taylor is undoubtedly one of the best players in the country and an early favorite to win the Tewaaraton. After a 70-point freshman campaign, she built on it and more as a sophomore alongside Scane and Coykendall. She poured in 83 goals and 33 assists for a team-leading 116 points.

But this season, Taylor is far and away Northwestern’s biggest offensive threat after the graduations of Scane and Coykendall. The Wantagh, New York, native has filled the role spectacularly, scoring 26 goals, the Wildcats’ only player in double digits thus far. She’s also been effective on the draw in her career, totaling 130 wins through her first two seasons.

Published on February 24, 2025 at 7:57 pm

Contact Noah: njnussba@syr.edu | @ Noahnuss99