2023 NCAA Lacrosse Rankings: No. 6 Syracuse (Women)

The 2023 college lacrosse season is almost here. As is our annual tradition, we’re featuring every team ranked in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Preseason Top 20.

Check back to USALaxMagazine.com each weekday this month for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis.

TOP RETURNERS

Kate Mashewske, M, Sr.

The draw specialist looks to build on last year’s career-high 178 draw controls, more than double her 2021 total. She’s improved her all-around skills, but her main job remains to earn possession. “Her position is so unique and she’s really come around to being a draw specialist,” Treanor said. “She’s in many ways redefining that role for the women’s game.”

Emma Tyrrell, M, Sr.

Tyrrell missed the final nine games last year but still ranked third on the Orange in points, assists and draw controls. “It was difficult last year because we lost her at a critical time,” Treanor said. “Having her back on the field is going to be huge for us in a lot of different ways.”

Meaghan Tyrrell, A, Gr.

The only 2022 Tewaarton Award finalist back, Tyrrell has 223 points over the past two seasons when injuries to others forced her to step up. That sort of production is now the norm. “She provides us a bunch of critical game experience,” Treanor said. “The best thing about her is she’s really cool and calm and collected under pressure. “

KEY ADDITIONS

Superia Clark, D, Fr.

The Dover, Del. product is one of two freshmen expected to play immediately on a defense that graduated Sarah Cooper. Her athleticism and top-flight speed stood out through fall ball, and she will get a chance to play early.

Abigail Lagos, A, Gr. (UIndy)

Lagos was a late summer addition to the Orange for her seventh year of college lacrosse after graduating as Division II champion UIndy’s all-time leading scorer. “She has championship experience, which I really like,” Treanor said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to use her experience.”

Coco Vandiver, D, Fr.

Vandiver joins the Orange out of famed high school program McDonogh (Md.). Playing high-level competition helped her make a quicker transition to college lacrosse. Like Clark, her athleticism is a huge plus that enables her to make plays anywhere on the field.

KEY DEPARTURES

Graduations: Sarah Cooper, D; Emily Hawryschuk, A; Sam Swart, M
Transfers: Jalyn Jimerson, M (Clemson)

STORYLINES TO WATCH

Can Syracuse get consistent goalie play?

The Orange had transfers Kimber Hower and Delaney Sweitzer each play a half through the first five games last year before Hower took over the role full-time. The Orange finished the season with a .348 save percentage that ranked 111th in the country. Hower and Sweitzer are both back along with junior Tate Paulson and promising freshman Daniella Guyette.

“Obviously, we’re hoping to improve our save percentage from last year,” Treanor said. “That’s probably a weaker point or us. It’s a new year and we’re looking forward and it’s a competitive spot, but our goalies played well this fall and we’re happy with the way they played.”

For a team that should have plenty of offense firepower led by a Tewaaraton favorite, a great draw and good depth in the midfield, and a defense that features returning starters Bianca Chevarie, Katie Goodale and Hallie Simkins, the goalie spot is a key question mark. Treanor will use the preseason to decide on one starter or a rotation.

“It’s competitive right now,” Treanor said. “We want somebody to convincingly win the job.”

Will Syracuse be healthy enough for a title run?

Emma Ward was back for the Orange in the fall after missing all of last season. Megan Carney, Sierra Cockerille and Emma Tyrrell were not cleared for the fall after they missed parts of the latter half of last year, but Syracuse hopes to have them this spring.

“It would be amazing to get these players back,” Treanor said. “They’re incredible players, significant impact performers for us. Our biggest focus this whole fall has been to get healthy and get fit.”

Syracuse proved last year that even without such standouts, they had the ability to play with the best as they played UNC and Boston College well in narrow losses. But they also suffered an upset loss to Virginia, a team they beat by six goals when healthier earlier in the season, in the ACC tournament.

“The more players we have on the field, the better we are as a team,” Treanor said. “That’s been the goal. Hopefully we’ll have everybody there soon.”

What did Kayla Treanor learn after one season back at Syracuse?

Treanor is gaga for Syracuse. She reveled in the men’s soccer team winning the national title, was thrilled to see field hockey reach the elite eight and the football team start strong, and follows both the basketball teams’ results.

“The biggest thing for me has been falling in love with Syracuse again,” Treanor said. “It’s such a special place.”

Treanor loves to compete but retired from playing after helping the United States win the 2022 World Championships and finishing as the all-time leading points, goals and assists in U.S. history. And the biggest reason she walked away was so she could focus entirely on coaching her alma mater.

“I feel so proud to represent the school and get to work with the student-athletes here at Syracuse and be a part of this coaching staff,” Treanor said. “I feel really fortunate. I love this place. I have a lot of passion for Syracuse and this Syracuse lacrosse program.”

ENEMY LINES
WHAT RIVALS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ORANGE

“I’ll never underestimate Kayla. I think she’s going to get this team to a really good place.”

BEYOND THE BASICS
POWERED BY LACROSSE REFERENCE

2.10 uaEGA

I don’t have enough good things to say about Meaghan Tyrrell. Usage-adjusted-EGA is my measure of individual player efficiency, and her rating has gone up steadily over four years in the Dome.

If that wasn’t enough, last year, she had literally zero weak spots. I measure seven core offensive statistics for every player. The include stats for overall efficiency, assist generation, shooting and ball security. Her worst stat (assists-per-touch) put her in the 85th percentile nationally. That is wild.

Lacrosse Reference Glossary