Letter From The Editor
Dear Readers,
Syracuse men's lacrosse is ranked No. 2 in Inside Lacrosse's Preseason Poll, its highest ranking since Gary Gait took over the program in 2022. Bolstered by key players, including John Mullen and Sam English and newcomers like RIT transfer Michael Grace, the time is now for the Orange to end their 15-year championship drought.
On the women's side, Kayla Treanor has excelled since taking over for Gait, leading Syracuse to two straight Final Fours. Though SU's roster has drastically changed over the last few years, Emma Muchnick, Alexa Vogelman and Daniella Guyette bring a fresh wave of talent trying to finally get it over the hump.
The Daily Orange's 2025 Lacrosse Guide has everything you need to know ahead of Syracuse men's and women's lacrosse's 'Now or Never' seasons.
Thanks for reading
Justin Girshon | Sports Editor
MYSTERY MAN
John Mullen's unorthodox routine prepared him to be SU's star faceoff man
By: Zak Wolf | Senior Staff Writer
John Mullen tries to remain in the shadows off the field by remaining a mystery. As Syracuse's starting faceoff man, it's an impossible task on the field. Following Mason Kohn's graduation, he's responsible for continuing SU's faceoff success and trying to spark the program's return to the best team in the country. Though Mullen lives an unorthodox life, it's perfectly prepared him to thrive as a sophomore.
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GOLDEN SUMMER
Emma Muchnick refound her game while winning gold with Team USA
By: Aiden Stepansky | Digital Managing Editor
Emma Muchnick wasn't herself throughout her first two collegiate seasons, which began at Maryland before transferring to Syracuse for the 2024 season. Following her sophomore season, the midfielder rediscovered herself as a player while winning a gold medal with the U.S. Women's U20 National Team. As Muchnick heads into her junior season, she's set to star for SU as it chases its first National Championship.
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AUTHENTICALLY SAM
As a 5th-year, Sam English's youthfulness has won over SU's locker room
By: Cooper Andrews | Managing Editor
Sam English has become a seasoned veteran, earning his spot as Syracuse's top presence heading into his fifth collegiate season. But that's not what stands out to his teammates. Instead, they praise the midfielder for his youthful antics, like watching sci-fi flicks or what Lego he'll build next. English's authentic, juvenile self is the perfect archetype to calmly captain SU to win a national championship despite infinite pressure.
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BACK AND BETTER
Top recruit Alexa Vogelman is ready for stardom after freshman-year ACL tear
By: Noah Nussbaum | Asst. Sports Editor
Alexa Vogelman thrived in high school, becoming Inside Lacrosse's No. 5 player in the 2023 class. However, as she prepared for her first season at SU and tried stamping her spot on Team USA's Under-20 team in October, the midfielder tore her ACL. After a year-long rehab, Vogelman brings replenished talent to the Orange as they try to win their first National Championship.
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'UNDERDOG STORY'
Michael Grace went from digging holes in Canada to becoming a D-3 national champion
By: Nicholas Alumkal | Asst. Sports Editor
Michael Grace entered his sophomore year at RIT a different player after digging holes for his cousin's company, Bednarz Post Hole Digging, to develop strength. The added strength helped him thrive as a defender and long-stick midfielder, helping him become the best Division III defender in 2024. After transferring to Syracuse, Grace is set to fill the void in its defense left by Saam Olexo's graduation.
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NEXT IN LINE
Daniella Guyette grew up watching SU goalies. Now, her dreams have come full-circle.
By: Matthew Gray | Senior Staff Writer
Daniella Guyette dedicated hours each week while in high school to study highlights of recent Syracuse standout goalies Asa Goldstock and Delaney Sweitzer. She wanted to incorporate elements of their game into her own and hoped to eventually find herself in their shoes. Now, following Sweitzer's graduation, the moment has come full circle for Guyette, as she's poised to become SU's starting goalie in 2025.
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MENS' BEAT WRITER PREDICTIONS
Beat writers predict if Syracuse men's lacrosse can win 1st NCAA title since 2009
By: Daily Orange Sports Staff
Following its best season since 2017, Syracuse returns most of its key contributors from its 2024 run to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. In head coach Gary Gait's fourth year at the helm, his prized 2022 recruiting class are now juniors with three years of experience under their belt and looking to win SU's first national championship since 2009.
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WOMENS' BEAT WRITER PREDICTIONS
Beat writers predict SU women's lacrosse to fall short of national title game
By: Daily Orange Sports Staff
Following its loss to Boston College in the Final Four last year, Syracuse enters its fourth year under Kayla Treanor a completely different team. After losing top scorers Emma Tyrrell and Natalie Smith, goaltender Delaney Sweitzer and most of its defense, SU will lean on returners Olivia Adamson and Emma Ward to lead it back to the postseason.