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For the third time in four seasons under head coach Kayla Treanor, Syracuse opened its campaign 2-0. Outscoring its first two opponents by a combined score of 36-18, SU’s newly assembled team has looked sharp through two games. Still, the Orange have still shown they have issues to iron out.

In its season-opening 21-9 win over UAlbany, Syracuse gave Meghan Rode the bulk of the draw controls. Rode’s 11 wins lifted SU to a passable 19-for-33 mark. But when matched up with then-No.7 Maryland, the unit finished just 12-for-28 on draws despite a 15-9 triumph.

At the same time, Syracuse has been burned by its lack of discipline. So far, SU has accumulated 29 total fouls, a tough ask for new starting goalie Daniella Guyette to successfully kill off. The Orange have already allowed five goals while down a player.

In its final game before conference play begins, SU returns home to face Cornell, hoping to resolve such concerns before they snowball into growing pains.

Here’s everything to know about Cornell (1-0, 0-0 Ivy League) before it battles No. 4 Syracuse (2-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) in the JMA Wireless Dome Tuesday:

All time series

Syracuse leads 19-4.

Last time they played …

Amid a six-game winning streak, Syracuse traveled to Ithaca on April 2, 2024, to conclude its nonconference slate. By the end of the first half, the contest already looked over with SU ahead 11-2. The Big Red only managed two goals the rest of the game as the Orange piled on six more to complete a 17-4 rout.

Syracuse was led by its trio of Emmas against the Big Red. Emma Tyrrell notched a game-high four goals, while Emma Muchnick tacked on three more. Emma Ward also logged a goal and assist as SU improved to 10-3 with three games left.

The Big Red report

For a second straight season, the Big Red finished below .500 with a 7-8 record in 2024. After starting 5-1, Cornell finished the season on a five-game losing streak that began with its one-sided loss to the Orange. The skid pulled the Big Red out of Ivy League Tournament contention and extended their NCAA Tournament drought to seven seasons.

In the offseason, Cornell’s offense saw little turnover from 2024’s unit. The Big Red retained four of their top-five scorers, only losing fifth-year attacker Bridget Babcock to graduation. Josie Vogel and Kylie Gelabert set the pace for Cornell with 47 and 41 points, respectively, as the next-closest player managed only 32.

As for their defense, the Big Red is still reeling from the departures of captains Grace Faircloth and Hilary Hoover. The two started all 15 games on Cornell’s backline in 2024. Another critical blow was the loss of Annie Thomas, who led all defenders on the team with 18 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers last season.

In their season opener on Feb. 15, the Big Red defeated Jacksonville 14-8. Caitlin Slaminko and Ella Wilmot torched the Dolphins with six-point performances. Trailing 8-3 early in the third quarter, Jacksonville battled back to cut its deficit to two. Unphased, Cornell extinguished the comeback effort by scoring six of the game’s last eight goals.

With first-year starter Danielle Guyette in net, Syracuse has allowed 18 goals through two games. Aaron Hammer | Staff Photographer

How Syracuse beats Cornell

Following its lackluster draw unit against the Terrapins Saturday, Treanor said it was an area that clearly needed work. But if the Orange can find its form on the draw against Cornell, it has a chance to take full control.

In 2024, the Big Red relied on a combination of Thomas, Hoover and Slaminko in the circle. With only Slaminko returning to the team this season, Cornell looked to new faces to take draws in game one. But the unit fell flat, only totaling 10 draw wins on 25 opportunities against Jacksonville.

If the Orange can gain the edge in the circle Tuesday against a similarly inexperienced draw control group, their offense should have no problem replicating their 17-goal game against Cornell last spring.

Stat to know: 12.40

Among its struggles in 2024, goalkeeping was a glaring one for the Big Red. Since 2023, Cornell has started Ellie Horner in the cage in its past 30 games, but has swapped in sophomore backup Mackenzie Clark during 17 of them.

Last season, it seemed like nothing was working for the Big Red no matter who they put in net. Both Horner and Clark combined for 12.4 goals allowed per game, as the tandem conceded double-digit goals in 10 of 15 contests. Cornell posted a 2-8 record when it allowed 10-plus goals. If the Orange can reach double-digit goals like they’ve done in both of their games so far, they should have enough of a cushion to dispatch the Big Red for the 15th straight time.

Player to watch: Caitlin Slaminko, midfielder, No. 14

After her freshman season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Slaminko has appeared in every game since for the Big Red. Totaling 13 points in 2022 as a depth piece, Slaminko cemented herself as a consistent starter for the next two seasons. Her 21 goals in 2024 ranked co-second on Cornell behind Vogel. She’s also proven herself in the circle with 56 career draw control wins.

With four goals and two assists against Jacksonville Saturday, Slaminko has already set herself up for another season as one of Cornell’s top offensive threats.

Published on February 17, 2025 at 10:44 pm

Contact Matthew: mgray06@syr.edu