Syracuse women’s lacrosse: Orange grind out win over Loyola, 8-6, to advance to NCAA Second Round
From top to bottom, this was a 2026 ‘Cuse game as the Orange did just enough to slip into the next round.
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 24: Coco Vandiver #16 of the Syracuse Orange during a lacrosse game against the Loyola Greyhounds at the JMA Wireless Dome on February 24, 2026 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Todd F. Michalek/Syracuse Athletics/University Images via Getty Images) It’s been two weeks since the Syracuse Orange took the field for a lacrosse game, but on Friday night in Annapolis, it was like they never left the field as they defeated the Loyola Greyhounds, 8-6, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium.
The game was exactly what we’ve come to expect from this ‘Cuse team in 2026. The SU defense was the dominant force in the matchup while the draw unit fought hard for everything they could get and the offense pieced together enough moments of clarity to out-score a suffocated opponent. They relied on their athleticism and dodging to create offense, but another poor shooting performance contributed to a 14-save game by Loyola goalie Kennedy Buntrock that kept the game close as the Orange never trailed but also never had more than a three-goal lead all night.
It was Caroline Trinkaus ’s day on attack, as the sophomore led with a hat trick and took almost three times as many shots as anybody else on the team. Mileena Cotter had possibly her best offensive day of the season with a pair of goals and an assist. Mackenzie Rich , Emma Muchnick and Molly Guzik all tallied one goal, and Annie Parker notched an assist.
The defense had an awesome night as they, for the second time this season, held Loyola to a season low in goals. They played a versatile game, pushing out well beyond the eight-meter to pressure the Greyhounds at times, being aggressive with their stick checks at others, and baiting them to throwing passes into areas that weren’t as open as they seemed. Ultimately, they did what they’ve done so many times this year: suffocated Loyola’s scoring chances to keep themselves in the lead despite offensive droughts of their own.
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