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When Stony Brook defeated Niagara in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, it set up a rematch with Syracuse after the two met on March 5. In that meeting, the Seawolves went back and forth with the Orange, but neither team could separate in regulation and it went to overtime. Kate Mashewske seemed to win the opening draw, but Ellie Masera forced a turnover and later scored the game-winner to complete the shocking upset.

In the second rendition of the matchup, Mashewkse had no such shortcomings. From the opening draw, she asserted her dominance and proceeded to set SU’s NCAA Tournament single-game program record by winning 20 draws. Propelled by Mashewske’s dominance, the Orange never trailed versus Stony Brook and sealed a trip to the quarterfinals with a 15-10 win.

Next, SU hosts Yale in the JMA Wireless Dome. The Bulldogs blew out Binghamton 17-4 in the first round before squeezing by Johns Hopkins 9-7. Like Syracuse, Yale ranks top-10 in Lacrosse Reference’s offensive efficiency (10th) and defensive efficiency (seventh).

Here’s how our beat writers feel No. 3 seed Syracuse (15-5, 8-1 ACC) will fare versus No. 6 seed Yale (17-2, 7-0 Ivy League) with a trip to Championship Weekend on the line:

Justin Girshon
Dancing to Cary
Syracuse 14, Yale 10

The first time I felt pessimistic about Syracuse all season was in its last matchup against Stony Brook. I felt that the Orange could be running into the wrong team at the wrong time. Mashewske made sure that didn’t happen. And when the graduate student plays like she did Sunday, SU is difficult to beat.

Unfortunately for Yale, it likely doesn’t have the willpower to contain Mashewske. The Bulldogs’ draw control unit is the 19th-best in Division I while SU’s is third, according to Lacrosse Reference.

Assuming the Orange continue their draw success, freshman goalie Laura O’Connor has a tall task stopping their well-balanced attack. Yale’s shot stoppers are is its biggest weakness, as it ranks 32nd in D-I in save percentage. The Orange are comparable or better than their opponent in every facet, which will help them return to Cary for the second straight year.

Timmy Wilcox
Taming the Bulldogs
Syracuse 13, Yale 8

Coming off a one-goal second half performance against Boston College, question marks surrounded Syracuse’s offense, especially entering a matchup against a top defense like Stony Brook. But SU responded by firing on all cylinders, and overpowering the Seawolves defense.

Despite facing Yale, which ranks seventh in the country in defensive efficiency per Lacrosse Reference, the Orange will continue their scoring rhythm. SU’s best weapon Emma Tyrrell found her groove by tallying five goals and her supporting cast followed to hang 15 goals on the Seawolves.

As the offense found its stride against Stony Brook, so did Mashewske in the draw circle. Yale will stand little chance to keep up if Mashewske brings similar success to the quarterfinals and limits its possessions.

Syracuse and defensive coordinator Caitlin Defliese Watkins have stifled top players, and it will take Jenna Collignon — Yale’s top scorer — out of the game, as it did to Stony Brooks’ Masera. The Orange will dominate in their return to the JMA Wireless Dome and continue their hunt toward the first NCAA Championship in program history.

Aiden Stepansky
Cary bound
Syracuse 17, Yale 11

Entering the NCAA Tournament, I thought the Orange would handle any opponent they faced relatively easily before a Final Four bout with Boston College. And through one game, Syracuse unequivocally proved me right.

Throughout 2024, Kayla Treanor has emphasized that SU’s success often weighs on its own performance rather than the specific opponent it’s facing. Despite acting as somewhat of a revenge game for an early season loss, the win over Stony Brook was less about the Seawolves’ play and more about Syracuse’s success within the make-it-take-it style.

Mashewske’s success at the draw was overwhelming and though it’s unfair to expect her to reach the historic total (20) again, I expect her to post another impressive performance. Yale is 56.5% in the circle compared to Syracuse’s 61.2% mark. If the Orange can get going early, I foresee another quick explosion by the SU attack with Yale having to play catchup for the majority of the game.

Thursday’s contest versus Yale will be the last at the JMA Wireless Dome for Mashewske and other key players of the Treanor era, like Tyrrell, Delaney Sweitzer and possibly Emma Ward, Katie Goodale and Natalie Smith. I think they’ll take care of the Bulldogs for one final home win, clinching another trip to the Final Four and the Boston College trilogy.

Published on May 15, 2024 at 11:59 am