#6 Orange Set to Clash with #1 North Carolina in ACC Semifinals Friday

Friday, April 24

Charlotte, NC

5 PM

Syracuse University

North Carolina

#6 Orange Set to Clash with #1 North Carolina in ACC Semifinals Friday

4/22/2026 11:14:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

ACC Network Live Stats Tournament Page

Game Details: Friday, April 24 | 5:00 p.m. | Charlotte, NC | American Legion Memorial Stadium
TV: ACC Network
Radio: WJPZ 89.1 FM
Live Coverage: Stats
Syracuse Links: News | Schedule | Roster
North Carolina Links: News | Schedule | Roster

No. 6 ranked and fourth-seeded Syracuse (13-4) is set to take on No. 1 ranked and top-seeded North Carolina (14-1) in the ACC Semifinals at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday at 5 p.m.

Opening Draw
The Orange punched their ticket to the semifinal with an 11-9 win over Virginia on Wednesday. Emma Muchnick led the way, tying a career-high with five points on four goals and an assist. She also picked up a clutch caused turnover in the final minute to seal up the win for the Orange.

The 'Cuse Defense
Syracuse is among the nation's top defenses, holding foes to just 7.3 goals per game. The Orange have held opponents to single-digit goals in 12 straight games.

Izzy Lahah leads the defense with 46 caused turnovers on the season. She notched three against Virginia to become Syracuse's single-season record holder.

Her teammate, Coco Vandiver, is close behind with 40 caused turnovers. She is the only player in program history to have multiple seasons with 40 or more caused turnovers. Vandiver was named a Tewaaraton Award Top-25 Finalist last week.

Daniella Guyette has been one of the nation's top goalkeepers, having logged 109 saves and allowed just 7.1 goals per game. She was also named a Tewaaraton Top-25 Finalist.

Offensive Output
The offense has been paced all season by Molly Guzik, who is up to 50 points on the year. She had her seventh game with at least three goals in the win over Virginia on Wednesday and has scored a goal in 16 of 17 games. Guzik rounds out the three Syracuse Tewaaraton Finalists.

Caroline Trinkaus is second on the team in goals with 24 this season. While she didn't score against the Cavaliers on Wednesday, she dished out two assists.

Mackenzie Rich has experienced a career-year logging 34 points with 13 goals and a team-leading 21 assists. Ashlee Volpe is close behind with 30 points on 12 goals and 18 assists. Volpe had four assists in the win over Virginia.

Scouting North Carolina
North Carolina earned their way into the semifinal with a 15-11 victory over Duke on Wednesday afternoon.

North Carolina is the nation's top ranked team and the league's top-seed in the postseason tournament. The Tar Heels bring one of the most explosive offenses paired with a top defense to the table, averaging 18.9 goals per game and just 7.1 goals against.

The Tar Heels are led by the reigning Tewaaraton Award winner, Chloe Humphrey and her nation leading 83 goals. She's also added 35 assists and leads the team with 20 caused turnovers. North Carolina had eight players represented on the All-ACC Teams, the most of any team in the league.

Series History
The Orange and Tar Heels meet for the 23^rd time on Friday, with North Carolina holding a 14-8 edge in the all-time series.

The two teams met earlier this season, with the Tar Heels earning a 13-9 win over the Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. 13 goals is the third-fewest in a game by the Tar Heels this season.

Syracuse and North Carolina clashed in the ACC Semifinals in 2023, with the Tar Heels winning 15-9.