Syracuse Synopsis: The Week That Was & The Week Ahead
Two ranked overtime losses to Maryland on the turf, but more dubs on the hardwood.
Here is what you need to know:
Women’s Basketball:
Record: 22-4 (12-3 in ACC) No. 17 in AP Poll & No. 20 in Coaches Poll (2/12)
Last Week: 2/15 @ Miami W, 71-60 & 2/18 @ Virginia W, 85-79
This Week: 2/2 vs Duke (7 p.m.) & 2/25 vs Pitt (2 p.m.)
Syracuse upped their win streak to five games with two road dubs on the week, securing its first 12-win ACC season since 2018-19. Still second in the ACC behind No. 8 Virginia Tech, the Orange had back-to-back big performances from Georgia Woolley, while Dyaisha Fair sealed the deal versus the Cavaliers.
Up 39-28 at halftime against the Hurricanes, Cuse only allowed eight third-quarter points to provide a needed cushion when Miami went on a late run. Woolley and Fair combined for 16 of the team’s 18 points in the final frame for the program’s first win in Coral Gabels since 2020.
Woolley would follow up her 24-point performance in the Sunshine State with another 20+ point afternoon in Charlottesville. Fair had a game-high 33 points (13-23/5-10/2-3) in the Orange’s sixth road conference victory, but Woolley also had a season-high 26 with four three-pointers and five assists.
After taking care of business on the road, Syracuse jumped to No. 17 in the AP Top 25 Poll and have their final two home games of the regular season. The Duke Blue Devils (16-8/8-5) come to the Dome on Thursday night for an “Orange Out” inside the JMA Dome. Senior night will be Sunday afternoon against the Pitt Panthers (8-19/2-12) before the season finale at No. 6 NC State on Feb. 29th.
Men’s Basketball:
Record: 17-10 (8-8 in ACC)
Last Week: 2/13 vs No. 7 North Carolina W, 86-79 & 2/17 @ Georgia Tech L, 65-60
This Week: 2/20 @ NC State (W 87-83) & 2/24 vs Notre Dame (noon)
More inconsistencies showed for the Syracuse Men’s Basketball program, defeating the top dog in the ACC but falling to the bottom feeders in the following game. Red Autry earned the first statement victory of his young head coaching career as the Orange knocked off UNC after losing by 36 in their last matchup.
The backcourt of Judah Mintz and JJ Starling combined for 48 points to lead the way, but it was a collective effort with SU shooting over 60 percent as a team. Following the program’s first top-10 victory since 2019, you’d expect that momentum to transition into their next game. However, that wasn’t the case.
Syracuse bounced back with an impressive win at NC State 87-83. The Orange jumped out to a 15 point lead but held on down the stretch after a Wolfpack rally. This completes the season sweep as SU beat NC State 77-65 on Jan. 27, the same night Dave Bing was inducted into the Ring of Honor. Another SU legend will be commemorated inside the Dome this week as Jim Boeheim Celebration against Notre Dame (9-16/4-10) on Saturday at noon.
Men’s Lacrosse:
Record: 3-1 No. 6 Inside Lacrosse Poll & No. 8 USILA Poll
Last Week: 2/17 vs No. 4 Maryland L, 13-12 (OT)
This Week: 2/21 vs Utah (noon)
Cuse Men’s Lacrosse experienced their first blemish on their record this season with an overtime loss against No. 4 Maryland in front of a ruckus crowd inside the Dome. The Terrapins took a 5-2 advantage in the first quarter before two goals from Leo put SU down one at halftime.
It was a back and forth game in the second half, but Chrisitan Mule tied the game at 12 with 1:05 remaining in regulation. The game went into sudden death overtime where Syracuse had the opening pocession.
Leo appeared to have the game-winner, but the goal was waved off on the field and remained the call as officials called Leo fell into the “goal mouth,” disallowing the shot. Maryland went down the field and a George Santos shot in transition found the back of the net to walk it off.
They’ll continued their homestand against Utah (0-2) on Wednesday at noon.
Women’s Lacrosse:
Record: 1-2 No. 7 Inside Lacrosse Poll & WLCA
Last Week: 2/14 vs No. 18 Army W, 18-7 & 2/17 vs No. 9 Maryland L, 9-8 (OT)
This Week: 2/24 @ No. 2 Notre Dame (noon)
The opener of the doubleheader against the Terps also ended in heartbreak for Cuse. Coming into Saturday, the Syracuse Women’s Lacrosse team had a convincing win against a ranked Army team in the home opener. It was evident from the opening draw that it would be a much closer and competitive contest versus Marlyand.
There was six ties throughout the game and neither offense could create a sizable cushion in the defensive battle. SU’s Olivia Adamson scored on the player-up opportunity to take a 8-7 lead in the fourth before Hannah Leubecker responded less than two minutes later to force overtime.
Neither team could score in the first overtime period, but Leubecker completed the hat trick 37 seconds into the second for the upset win over the Orange.
Syracuse heads back on the road and continues their grueling schedule against No. 2 Notre Dame (4-0) in South Bend. The Fighting Irish jumped six spots in the poll after defeating the reigning National Champ Northwestern and Butler 25-3 on Sunday.
Softball:
Record: 6-3
Last Week: 2/16 vs Maryland W, 6-3 & Southern Louisiana L, 8-6
2/17 vs Maryland W, 11-4 & Southeast Missouri State W, 3-0
This Week: 2/23 vs Evansville (2:30 p.m.) & Louisiana at Monroe (7:30 p.m.)
2/24 vs Northwestern State (12:30 p.m.) & Louisiana at Monroe (5:30 p.m.)
2/25 vs Sam Houston (10 a.m.)
Syracuse won three of four games at the Southeastern Louisiana Lion Classic, including both matchups against Maryland. Through the first nine games of the season, the Orange are averaging a run an inning (56 total) with 19 extra base hits out of their 69 total.
Pitcher Lindsey Hendrix continues to dominante in the circle for SU. She had 17 strikeouts on the weekend with a complete game shutout on Sunday against SEMO to lower her ERA to 0.86.
They’ll now to part in the Best of the Bayou Classic for five games before their first ACC games against Duke at the beginning of March.
Women’s Ice Hockey:
Record: 7-24-3 (4-14-2 in CHA)
Last Week: 2/16-17 vs Mercyhurst L, 3-2 & L, 4-1
This Week: N/A
Syracuse completed their season with two losses to Mercyhurst inside the Tennity Ice Center. The Orange carried a 2-0 lead on Friday night into the third period before allowing three consecutive goals. All 12 seniors and fifth year players were honored before their final game on Saturday.
Women’s Tennis:
Record: 6-1
Last Week: 2/17 vs Boston College W, 5-2 & 2/18 vs UMass W, 4-0
This Week: 2/23 vs Clemson (3 p.m.) & 2/25 vs Georgia Tech (11 a.m.)
A week off seemed to be what the Orange needed to get back into the win column in their ACC opener against Boston College. They’ll continue their conference schedule at home for two matches this week.
