’Cuse Comeback Comes Up Short Against Wildcats

Tuesday, February 25

Syracuse, N.Y.

3:30 PM

Syracuse University

3-2

Northwestern

5-1

Northwestern

Syracuse

’Cuse Comeback Comes Up Short Against Wildcats

2/25/2025 7:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

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SYRACUSE, New York – No. 6 Syracuse fought back from a 4-0 first quarter deficit but couldn't overcome the slow start in a 12-8 loss to No. 3 Northwestern in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Emma Ward led the Orange offense with six points on three goals and three assists, while Emma Muchnick scored a pair of goals.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wildcats (5-1) recorded four unanswered goals in the first quarter and Sam Smith's goal at the 10:33 mark of the second quarter gave Northwestern a 5-0 lead. Smith's goal would the only Wildcat goal of the quarter as the Orange (3-2) scored three-straight to cut the deficit to 5-3 at halftime. Ward sparked the 'Cuse offense, assisting on goals by Muchnick and Joely Caramelli before finding the back of the net with 1:39 to play in the half.

The squads traded goals after intermission before Ward's second goal brought Syracuse within one at 6-5. The Wildcats responded with a 3-0 scoring run to push the lead back to three, 9-6, heading into the fourth quarter.

Ward opened the fourth quarter scoring with her third goal and then assisted on Annie Parker's first career goal, bringing Syracuse within two with 10:38 remaining. That was as close as the Orange could get as Northwestern scored its final two goals on an empty net in the 12-8 victory.

OF NOTE
With three assists in the game, Ward increased her career total to 136. She moved past head coach Kayla Treanor on the program's all-time assists leader list and is now tied for fourth place with Alyssa Murray (2011-14).

Syracuse goalkeeper Daniella Guyette made 14 saves, extending her streak of double-digit saves performances to four. She entered Tuesday's game ranked 10th in the nation in saves per game.

The Orange were facing their second top three opponent in a span of four days after taking on No. 2 North Carolina last Saturday. Syracuse plays seven teams ranked in this week's top 10 this season.

UP NEXT
Syracuse returns to ACC action on Saturday, March 1 when it hosts No. 14 Clemson at noon in the JMA Wireless Dome. Tickets are on sale now at Cuse.com/tickets.