#5 Orange, #1 Wildcats Clash in Season Opener

Game Details: Saturday, February 10 | 1 p.m. Eastern | Evanston, Ill.
TV: BTN+ (subscription required)
Radio: WJPZ 89.1 FM
Twitter: @Cuse | @CuseWLAX
Live Coverage: Stats
Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Schedule | Roster
Northwestern Links: News | Schedule | Roster

EVANSTON, Illinois. -- Top five teams collide in the season opener when the fifth-ranked Syracuse women's lacrosse team travels to No. 1 Northwestern on Saturday, Feb. 10. Opening draw at Ryan Fieldhouse in Evanston, Illinois is set for 1 p.m. Eastern time.

It marks the second-straight year that the Orange and Wildcats will meet in the opening game of the season. Fans can watch the only top-five matchup of opening weekend on Big Ten Plus (subscription required) or listen to the action live on WJPZ 89.1 FM in the Syracuse area. Live updates will also be available on social media (@CuseWLax).

ORANGE IN SEASON OPENERS
Syracuse begins its 27th season of play when it takes on Northwestern. The Orange are 21-5 in season openers. Syracuse starts the year on the road for just the third time since 2014.

A RETURN TO CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
Syracuse advanced to the national semifinals for the second time in three years in 2023. The Orange posted an 18-3 record last season and claimed a share of the ACC regular-season title with an 8-1 mark in league play. Syracuse started the season with 15-straight wins to tie the program record for longest winning streak.

'CUSE VS. #1
The Orange look for the third win in program history against the No. 1 team in the nation. Syracuse's first win against No. 1 came in the semifinals of the 2012 NCAA Tournament against Florida. The Orange trailed by seven, 11-4, with 21:34 left in the second half but rallied, scoring five unanswered goals to force overtime. Sarah Holden's fourth goal of the day in the second overtime gave the orange a 13-12 victory.

The Orange's other win against No. 1 came against North Carolina in 2014 in the JMA Wireless Dome. After the Tar Heels scored three straight goals to tie the game at 9-9 with 12:27 remaining, the Orange tallied the final three goals of the game, including two from Kayla Treanor, to post the 12-9 victory.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Northwestern defeated Boston College, 18-6, to claim the 2023 national championship last May. The Wildcats enter Saturday's game on a 21-game winning streak.

Defending Tewaaraton Award winner Izzy Scane is back for Northwestern. She led the nation in goals last season with 99, which set the school single-season record. Attacker Erin Coykendall was also a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award last season. She led the Wildcats with 50 assists in 2023.

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's game marks the 25th all-time meeting between Syracuse and Northwestern. The Wildcats lead the series with the Orange, 16-8.

Syracuse and Northwestern meet in the season opener for the second-straight year. Last season in the JMA Wireless Dome, the Orange ended the first half on a 3-0 scoring run as Maddy Baxter's goal with 17 seconds on the clock sent 'Cuse into the locker room with an 8-4 lead.

Northwestern scored five of the first six goals of the second half to tie the game at 9-9. Neither team could pull away and the score was tied at 14-14 with less than five minutes remaining. Emma Tyrrell and Meaghan Tyrrell scored back-to-back goals to put the Orange up 16-14 with 1:10 remaining.

Izzy Scane scored with 14 seconds on the clock to bring the Wildcats within one. Northwestern won the ensuing draw, but Katie Goodale caused a turnover and picked up the ground ball to secure the 'Cuse victory.

UP NEXT
Syracuse hosts No. 15 Army in its home opener on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. in the JMA Dome. Fans can purchase season, individual and group tickets at Cuse.com/tickets.

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Players Mentioned

Maddy Baxter

Katie Goodale

Emma Tyrrell

Meaghan Tyrrell

Syracuse University Athletics