Number four Syracuse women’s lacrosse (3-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) has dominated to begin the 2025 season. SU most recently had an 18-10 win over Cornell on Tuesday, which featured 12 of SU’s tallies coming in just the first half. Up next, Syracuse has its hardest matchup of the season against number two North Carolina (3-0, 0-0 ACC) on Saturday.
“I wouldn’t say anything worries me,” SU Head Coach Kayla Treanor said about taking on UNC. “I actually see them as very similar to us. They are super athletic, so much talent…they have an army.”
SU has an army of its own when it comes to offensive talent. The Orange had 10 different goal scorers in its win over the Big Red. This season, Syracuse scores an average of 18 goals per game, ranking third in the conference.
“It’s a shared offense, this is not a one-person show,” Treanor said. “Everybody on the field is a threat and so we have a balance.”
North Carolina has been successful in opening its season as well. The Tar Heels have already toppled two ranked opponents in number 18 James Madison in the season opener 14-2 and most recently number five Florida 14-9 last Saturday. UNC has dominated to start the year with a 13-goal scoring margin on average. That mark not only leads the ACC but is also the third-best in the nation. UNC’s attacker Chloe Humphrey is the squad’s leading scorer with 13 goals in just three games. The redshirt freshman notched five tallies in the Tar Heels win over the 5th-ranked Gators.
Despite SU’s hot start to the season, coach Treanor thinks some things need to be cleaned up.
“Especially in our clear, our stickwork is just sloppy throughout the entire game,” Treanor said after SU’s win over Cornell. “Our goal is that we want to be 10 and under for turnovers.”
#4 Syracuse and #2 North Carolina prepare for battle Saturday at 11 a.m. Follow @WAERSports on X for updates throughout the contest.