Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

Throughout 2024, Emma Tyrrell has been the clear-cut No. 1 option for Syracuse, tallying 70 goals through 21 games, including a combined 12 in SU’s first two NCAA Tournament games. While Tyrrell leads the charge with her scoring, Emma Ward has been SU’s quarterback with her distribution. Often perched at X, Ward has served as the Orange’s lead facilitator, tallying a team-leading 37 assists.

“We all just look to her as like the eyes on the field,” midfielder Natalie Smith said of Ward on Feb. 20.

Ward’s postseason experience paid dividends against Yale, posting her best performance of the season, notching a season-high in assists (4) and points (7). The stellar performance helped No. 3 seed Syracuse (16-5, 8-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) blow by No. 6 seed Yale (17-3, 7-0 Ivy League) 19-9 in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.

Along with four assists, Ward made her first impact on the game with her scoring prowess. On SU’s first possession, the Orange had 40 seconds of stale offense, before Ward collected a pass from Gracie Britton at X and emerged from behind the cage. Ward ducked inside and beat Cami Donadio to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead.

As the Orange poured it on in the early going, Ward aided the attack. Already up 3-0 less than five minutes in, she received a pass at X again, this time from Tyrrell. Ward curled around the net before quickly dishing to Savannah Sweitzer for a goal.

Syracuse continued added on five more first half goals though Ward didn’t give any direct contributions.

“I think the first half was a little shaky on my part specifically, but just picking it up, finding those seams and the people around me making me look good whether they’re finishing or feeding the ball,” Ward said postgame.

In the second half, Ward kickstarted the offense as Syracuse continued to maintain its lead. In nearly identical fashion to her first goal, this time just from opposite sides. Ward emerged from X along the right post and beat Donadio while tip-toeing the crease.

“I think that’s just like a part of our identity. We want to play fast…We want to play with that swagger,” Ward said.

Following two tallies from Yale and a goal from Tyrrell, Ward got the connection going with SU’s top attack.

Ward received the ball along the left of the net as Bulldogs’ defenders Katie Clare and Marymegan Wright crashed toward her. In a split second Ward squeezed a pass inside to Tyrrell who finished high, extending Syracuse’s lead to six.

“Having that chemistry the last four years has been amazing,” Ward said of her and Tyrrell’s complimentary game. “Our last time in the dome together, just being able to go out there and put on a really great performance was a lot of fun.”

Ward’s influence continued as the game wore on. With Syracuse leading 14-8 and under 10 minutes to play, she took a step-down shot along the corner of the eight-meter, firing it into the top of the net for a hat trick — her seventh of the season.

Less than two minutes later Ward slipped a feed inside to Sweitzer again. Sweitzer’s goal gave Ward her third assist of the game. As the team’s top facilitator, it’s Ward’s poise and vision that the team often relies on when looking to find ways to score.

“She can see a lot more things than most offensive players, which I think is a great help,” Smith said of Ward on Feb. 20. “I think after every goal or turnover or whatever, we’re all huddling together. And she’s always one to say like, ‘Hey, we can do this better. We can do this, that was working.’”

Ward added one more assist to Tyrrell to cap off her season-best performance. With Ward on the perimeter of the 12 meter, Tyrrell cut to the left post before Ward hit her with a perfect pass. Tyrrell caught the ball and buried it, giving Ward her fourth assist and seventh point of the game.

Since her freshman season, Ward’s been a key cog in the SU attack. Despite missing her entire sophomore season due to injury, she’s totaled 246 career points.

“I remember when I was a freshman when we made it to the Final Four. And now four years later, doing it again. It’s just kind of like a full circle moment,” Ward said.

For the third time in four years, Syracuse will play in the Final Four with all three coming when Ward has played. With a trip to Cary and a third matchup with Boston College now in store, the Orange will rely on Ward to pick apart the Eagles’ defense. If her performance versus Yale Thursday is any tell, SU looks to be in good shape.

“Playing within the system and looking for those quick opportunities is something that we want to continue to do this game and in the Final Four,” Ward said.

Published on May 17, 2024 at 12:58 am

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