— In Stanford, Calif., Syracuse’s women’s lacrosse team dropped its third straight game, falling 8-6 to No. 2 Stanford on Friday night. The defeat leaves the Orange 0-3 after opening losses to No. 7 Maryland and No. 1 North Carolina. Syracuse tied the contest 4-4 at halftime on a Bri Peters goal but trailed by two in the third quarter and, despite pulling even at 6-6 in the fourth, could not complete a comeback. The Cardinal held the final edge to secure the 8-6 win.
Key Takeaways
- Syracuse lost 8-6 to No. 2 Stanford on Feb. 20, 2026, moving the Orange to a 0-3 start to the season.
- The teams were tied 4-4 at halftime after a goal from Bri Peters for Syracuse.
- Stanford created separation in the third quarter and re-established a two-goal margin late to finish 8-6.
- Goalkeeper Daniella Guyette recorded nine saves for Syracuse.
- Syracuse won 10 draw controls but committed 17 turnovers, a gap that influenced scoring chances.
- Next game: Syracuse hosts No. 19 Loyola at the JMA Wireless Dome on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Background
Syracuse entered the matchup searching for a first win after losses to top-ranked opponents earlier in the week. The Orange opened the season against No. 7 Maryland and No. 1 North Carolina, results that immediately placed pressure on Syracuse to respond against another top-10 opponent. Stanford, ranked No. 2, arrived with championship expectations and a roster built for depth and possession control.
The two programs come from different conferences and styles: Stanford typically emphasizes ball control and transition defense, while Syracuse has tried to accelerate tempo and rely on quick attacking sets. Those stylistic differences shaped the game plan and how each coach managed substitutions and draw matchups. Entering Friday, Syracuse’s margin for error was small; turnovers and possession would likely determine the outcome against a highly ranked opponent.
Main Event
The game opened with both teams trading possessions and shots, but neither side could build more than a one-goal lead in the first half. Syracuse evened the score at four by halftime on a goal from Bri Peters, a sequence that briefly shifted momentum to the Orange. Early in the third quarter Stanford began to pull away, converting on key possessions and forcing Syracuse into pressured clears.
Stanford extended its advantage to two goals in the third quarter, a cushion that changed how Syracuse approached transition offense. Syracuse responded in the fourth, battling back to tie at 6-6 after sustained pressure in the Cardinal defensive end. That parity lasted only briefly; Stanford answered and converted again to create the decisive two-goal margin.
Daniella Guyette made nine saves and kept Syracuse within striking distance, but the Orange’s 17 turnovers limited high-quality chances and kept momentum tilted toward Stanford. Syracuse did win 10 draw controls, which helped generate attack opportunities, yet the team was unable to convert enough of those possessions into goals. By the final whistle Stanford’s defensive stops and late offensive execution sealed the 8-6 result.
Analysis & Implications
Syracuse’s 0-3 start underlines early-season vulnerabilities that are measurable and addressable. The turnover total (17) stands out: against elite opponents, extra possessions conceded translate directly into goals-against and limit counterattack chances. Correcting ball security on clears and in transition will be a priority for Syracuse’s coaching staff before the home slate resumes.
The draw-control edge (10 for Syracuse) suggests the Orange can compete for possession, but possession alone did not translate to finishes in this game. Efficiency in the attack—shot selection, off-ball movement and finish rate—lags what Stanford showed. If Syracuse converts a higher share of possessions, the team could be competitive in a stronger midseason stretch; until then, results against top-10 teams are likely to remain a challenge.
For Stanford, the win reinforces its standing among the nation’s elite and highlights depth and late-game composure. Maintaining that consistency matters for national seeding and morale as the Cardinal face conference rivals. National implications are modest at this point in February, but wins over ranked opponents strengthen Stanford’s résumé for postseason selection and seeding.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Syracuse | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 6 | 8 |
| Goalkeeper saves | 9 (D. Guyette) | — |
| Draw controls | 10 | — |
| Turnovers | 17 | — |
The table highlights the statistics reported in the game recap: Syracuse’s nine saves from Daniella Guyette and 10 draw controls were positives, while 17 turnovers were a clear deficit. Complete box scores from Stanford’s official stat sheet would provide fuller context on possessions, shots on goal and clearing percentages; those detailed figures were not listed in the local report.
Reactions & Quotes
“The Orange moves to 0-3 with the 8-6 loss to the Cardinal.”
WSYR / Syracuse Athletics (game recap)
“Daniella Guyette finished with nine saves on the night.”
WSYR / Syracuse Athletics (box summary)
“Stanford closed out the game by reclaiming a two-goal margin in the fourth quarter.”
WSYR (game report)
Unconfirmed
- Official attendance figures for the game were not listed in the local recap and remain unconfirmed.
- Detailed Stanford box-score metrics (exact draw-control total, turnovers for Stanford, time-of-possession) were not provided in the source article.
- Any postgame injury updates for Syracuse players were not disclosed in the available report.
Bottom Line
Syracuse’s 8-6 loss to No. 2 Stanford exposes clear areas for near-term improvement—chiefly turnover management and attack efficiency—despite positive signs from goalkeeping and draw performance. The Orange demonstrated resilience by tying the game twice, including at halftime and late in the fourth, but could not sustain momentum against a top-ranked opponent.
Upcoming home play against No. 19 Loyola on Tuesday at 5 p.m. presents a chance for Syracuse to correct course and capture a first victory. How the coaching staff addresses possession security and finishing will likely determine whether the Orange can reverse their early-season slide.