In the inaugural postseason game of Regy Thorpe’s collegiate head coaching career, fourth-seeded Syracuse women’s lacrosse (13-4 overall, 7-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) took down fifth-seeded Virginia (8-9 overall, 6-4 ACC) in the opening round of the ACC Tournament on Tuesday.
The Orange scored 11 goals in the matchup, the most that they have potted in four games.
“The kids just shot better,” Thorpe said postgame. “We got to score some goals. Our defense has been carrying us, and we needed to put a couple more on the score sheet today.”
SU jumped to a 7-2 lead right out of halftime, and it looked like it was smooth sailing from there for the ‘Cuse.
That didn't take long... Alexa Vogelman scores quickly in the second half to extend the Orange lead to 7-2🍊
— Syracuse Women's Lacrosse (@CuseWLAX) April 22, 2026
📺 ACC Network pic.twitter.com/E1bWyjj8x7
However, the Cavaliers battled back for the rest of the second half, cutting the deficit down to one goal late in the fourth quarter. UVA broke off seven straight draw control wins in a row during this streak. Virginia ended up winning the draw battle on the game, 12-10.
HOOS WITHIN ONE!!
— Virginia Women's Lacrosse (@UVAWomensLax) April 22, 2026
Watch the end of UVA vs Syracuse live on ACC Network #GoHoos
🔗 https://t.co/gRL9TeGWTM pic.twitter.com/My9MnxbDYR
With all of the momentum going in UVA’s direction in a one-goal game, SU midfielder Molly Guzik scored with two and a half minutes remaining to ice the contest. The sophomore is the leading scorer for the ‘Cuse, with 40 finishes this season.
“We got up 8-3 and I said ‘We couldn't close the door,’ and they came storming back. Give their team and coaches a lot of credit for battling,” Thorpe said postgame. “We found a way, and [I’m] happy that we got out with the win.”
Syracuse goalie Daniella Guyette had a night to forget, with only five saves and nine goals allowed. The senior put up a 36 percent save rate, her fifth-worst of the season. The performance was very out of character for the netminder; Guyette has the second-best save percentage in the conference this season at 48 percent.
Despite the lackluster performance on defense, junior Izzy Lahah caused a game-best three turnovers. The defender also broke the single-season record for most CTO’s in program history with 46. Lahah broke Katie Goodale’s record of 45 from 2024, the last season that the ‘Cuse made the final of the conference tourney.
History. Izzy Lahah Stands Alone.
— Syracuse Women's Lacrosse (@CuseWLAX) April 22, 2026
With her third caused turnover against Virginia today, Izzy Lahah now holds the program record for the most caused turnovers in a single-season🍊 pic.twitter.com/izjbTfkB9u
However, the real star of the show was Orange midfielder Emma Muchnick. The senior had a season-high four goals and five points in the matchup.
Coach Thorpe raved, “She did great on the stat sheet, but she was great between the 30s, playing good defense, getting some key ground balls for us at critical times, [a] couple caused turnovers. She was just all over the field today, and at this time of the year, you need your seniors to step up in big moments, and I thought she did that.”
Emma Muchnick with the first-half hatty ‼️
— The ACC (@theACC) April 22, 2026
📺 @accnetwork x @CuseWLAX pic.twitter.com/19Qtf0AoP9
Four goals is the most in a game this season for the senior. All of the goals scored in the first half came from SU’s midfield. Along with Muchnick’s hat trick, sophomore Bri Peters had her first two-goal game for the Orange, and Guzick added one first-half score.
Syracuse takes on top-seeded North Carolina in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament on Friday. The Orange only have two wins against the Tar Heels in the last 12 matchups. Opening draw is at 5. Follow us on X for live updates during the game @WAERSports.