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New Syracuse starting goalie Daniella Guyette displays a simple message across the right side of her goalie mask. On a white piece of tape, the word “Semifinal” is written twice, with one on top of the other.

As the fresh face of SU’s revamped defense, Guyette’s engraving sets the tone for the unit’s ultimate goals in 2025.

“The past two years I’ve been here making the semifinals, but never really making anything of it,” Guyette. “I want to use that to fuel me and push us forward, really making sure we’re capitalizing on that national championship.”

After the Orange’s second consecutive Final Four appearance, goalie Delaney Sweitzer transferred to Northwestern and starting defenders Katie Goodale, Bianca Chevarie and Hallie Simkins graduated. Kaci Benoit and Coco Vandiver are Syracuse’s only returning starters from a season ago, with Guyette filling in between the pipes, senior Julia Basciano surging into a starting role and freshman Lexi Reber creating an instant impact.

Basciano suffered an injury in SU’s second game against Maryland, thrusting sophomore Ella Blesi into the starting lineup against Cornell. Syracuse’s new-look group has allowed just 9.33 goals per game while forcing 50 turnovers, propelling the Orange to a 3-0 start and showing their potential.

Syracuse goalie Daniella Guyette stands calmly in front of her cage in Syracuse’s season-opening win over UAlbany. Taped on the right side of her goalie mask says “Semifinal” twice to represent SU’s last two finishes and the numbers of three former teammates, Tessa Queri, Sierra Cockerille and Jenny Markey. Leonardo Eriman | Asst. Video Editor

In Syracuse’s season opener, SU head coach Kayla Treanor didn’t see much from her backline. Against the Great Danes, the Orange allowed just two goals in each of the first two quarters, holding UAlbany out of the net from 12:33 left in the second quarter to 5:15 in the third.

SU’s rapid offensive production extended possession time, giving the defense long stretches of rest. Despite the inactivity, Treanor observed growing chemistry and improved communication.
Producing immediately as a revamped unit is no small feat. A year ago, the Orange allowed just 9.68 goals per game, causing the second most turnovers per game in the Atlantic Coast Conference at 9.55. Continuity from 2023 fueled their early success, with Benoit as the only addition.

With almost all of the group departing, the losses allow Benoit and Vandiver to step up as a sophomore and junior. Benoit described SU’s zone defense as similar to 2024. This time, the backer, Vandiver, follows the ball. Last year, Simkins served as the backer, following cutters through the 8-meter arc.

While Vandiver’s role has elevated, so has Benoit’s. The Darien, Connecticut, native is a captain for the Orange after an All-ACC Freshman Team selection last year. Treanor said she’s emerged as a vocal presence, not just on the defensive side but for the entire team.

Benoit quickly became a focal point of the defense, matching up with two-time Tewaaraton Award winner Izzy Scane in her college debut. Through the early experience and the rest of her freshman campaign, Benoit said her confidence grew under the tutelage of seasoned veterans like Chevarie, Goodale and Simkins, preparing her for greater responsibility.

“Last year, they all took me under their wing immediately and became really good friends with me,” Benoit said. “So I just want to be that for all the younger girls this year.”

Benoit’s main protégé is Reber. The No. 14 player in the 2024 class has quickly jumped into the fire with the Orange. Reber said as a senior at The Bryn Mawr School (Maryland) a year ago, watching Benoit’s role at Syracuse inspired her to assume a similar position. Since then, she’s modeled her game after Benoit’s, aiming to match her tenacity and sharp technique.

Reber admittedly was nervous in her first college game. But she’s embraced the challenge, playing nearly every minute so far, a welcome sign for SU’s present and future.

Joe Zhao | Design Editor

While Benoit, Reber and the rest of the unit excelled in the season opener, their first real test came in game two against then-No. 7 Maryland. After a slip-up less than two minutes in, SU tightened its defense. Syracuse held the Terrapins scoreless for over 10 minutes in the opening quarter, forcing three turnovers as its offense built a 5-1 lead.

With just over five minutes left in the first quarter, UMD’s offense worked the ball around but couldn’t find anything. As the shot clock dwindled, Benoit closed in on an attacker who dished to Maryland’s Maisy Clevenger at X. Vandiver and Guyette closed in on Clevenger as she approached the crease and forced a shot well over the crossbar, resulting in a shot clock violation.

Success continued into the second quarter, where the Terrapins didn’t score until the 1:11 mark. By the time Maryland attempted a comeback, it was already too late. SU’s defense locked all openings with midfielders Emma Muchnick, Alexa Vogelman, Sam DeVito, Joely Caramelli and more contributing to pressure that went beyond the 12-meter fan. The Orange caused nine turnovers while Guyette posted a marvelous 11-save performance.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Syracuse in College Park, however. In the third quarter, Basciano suffered an injury, limping off with help from Treanor and an athletic trainer. She missed SU’s game against Cornell Tuesday, watching from the sidelines and relying on crutches for support.

The senior, who played sparingly across her first three seasons, had been a solid piece of the unit. Once Basciano exited, sophomore Blesi entered the fold, collecting a ground ball against UMD and adding another in her first career start versus Cornell.

With Blesi adding a wrinkle to the group, Syracuse again stood strong against the Big Red. The Orange allowed just two goals in the first quarter and one in the third, cruising to another blowout victory. Guyette’s 14 saves on 24 shots produced a .583 save percentage, her best mark of the season.

Through her first three starts, Guyette’s been everything SU has needed and more. She boasts a .528 save percentage on 71 shots faced, which is on pace to be the best single-season save percentage from a starter under Treanor.

With each game, Syracuse’s defense adds another layer of chemistry. The blend of experienced veterans and first-time starters has created a formidable unit, one that’s consistently met every challenge it’s faced. As more difficult tests await, the message on Guyette’s mask will serve as a reminder of the Orange’s ambitions.

Published on February 19, 2025 at 11:26 pm

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky