#14 Syracuse shuts down Cal attack in 13-3 win

Syracuse, N.Y. | It was a dominant home win for No. 14 Syracuse Women’s Lacrosse (3-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) on Tuesday. 13-3 was the final against California (3-4, 1-2 ACC).

SU allowed its fewest goals in a game since 2020.

Defender Izzy Lahah led the way with four caused turnovers. The junior has 16 on the season to lead the team.

“Number 27 was kind of their top guy, so just being prepared for her,” Lahah said of the defensive success. “Coco [Vandiver] was backing, so we had to trust that she could get those knockdowns and be in the passing lanes. Focusing on communication and their top players.”

Lahah earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors prior to the game and backed it up on the field with another stellar performance. But to her it’s not about the individual accolades—it’s about just having the time on the field with her teammates.

“This opportunity, it means a lot to me, being able to play after sitting for two years,” Lahah said. “I also have this great unit behind me. We really work well together and click. Playing post with Kaci [Benoit], and having Coco behind you, and [Mackenzie Salentre] on my side, and the middies.”

“We definitely have a lot of trust in each other, and it’s allowing me to take those chances, go for those back checks, and get those ground balls.”

SU is back in action from the Dome this Friday at 5 p.m. to take on Virginia Tech (4-3, 1-2 ACC). The Orange could pick up their fourth straight win and improve to above .500 in both overall play and ACC play for the first time all year.

For live updates on that game, follow @ryancroke_ and @CitrusTVSports on X.