What Happened to Syracuse Lacrosse?
Syracuse Lacrosse, encompassing both its storied men's and highly competitive women's programs, continues to be a prominent force in NCAA Division I lacrosse. As of April 2026, the men's team is a top contender for the NCAA Championship, boasting a strong record and several All-Americans, while the women's team, under new leadership, is also highly ranked and on a significant winning streak.
Quick Answer
Syracuse Lacrosse remains a national powerhouse in 2026. The men's team, led by coach Gary Gait, holds a 9-2 record and is ranked #7 nationally, contending for a top NCAA seed with star Joey Spallina nearing a program scoring record. The women's team, now coached by Regy Thorpe, is ranked #4 nationally with a 10-game winning streak, demonstrating a strong resurgence after a coaching change in 2025.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Syracuse Men's Lacrosse Program Established
Syracuse University played its first intercollegiate lacrosse game, marking the beginning of its storied program.
First NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship
The Syracuse men's lacrosse team won its first NCAA national championship, defeating Johns Hopkins in a memorable comeback victory.
Men's Team Wins 11th NCAA Championship
Syracuse men's lacrosse secured its 11th NCAA national championship (10th official title), defeating rival Cornell 10-9 in overtime. This marked their second consecutive title.
Gary Gait Becomes Men's Head Coach
Syracuse lacrosse legend Gary Gait was appointed head coach of the men's program, taking over from John Desko with the goal of returning the team to championship contention.
Men's Team Enters 2024 Season Ranked in Top 10
The Syracuse men's lacrosse team was ranked No. 9 in the USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Top 20, signaling high expectations for the upcoming season.
Women's Team Reaches NCAA Semifinals
The Syracuse women's lacrosse team concluded its 2024 season with a 16-6 record, falling to Boston College in the NCAA Semifinals.
Women's Team Ends 2025 Season with 10-9 Record
The Syracuse women's lacrosse team finished the 2025 season with a 10-9 record, losing to Yale in the NCAA Tournament Second Round.
Women's Head Coach Kayla Treanor Departs
Kayla Treanor, head coach of the Syracuse women's lacrosse team, left the program to take the head coaching position at Penn State.
Men's Team Returns to NCAA Final Four
The Syracuse men's lacrosse team advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2013, winning their first ACC title since 2016 and achieving 13 wins, their most since 2017.
Regy Thorpe Named Women's Head Coach
Syracuse alum and former assistant coach Regy Thorpe was appointed the fourth head coach in Syracuse Women's Lacrosse program history.
Men's Team Defeats #4 Duke in ACC Thriller
The #5 Syracuse men's lacrosse team secured a 16-15 victory over #4 Duke in a crucial ACC matchup at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Women's Team Dominates #23 Pittsburgh
The #8 Syracuse women's lacrosse team achieved its highest goal total of the 2026 season, defeating #23 Pittsburgh 16-7.
Women's Team Extends Winning Streak to 10 Games
The #4 Syracuse women's lacrosse team extended its winning streak to 10 games with a victory over Cornell.
Seven Men's Players Named Midseason All-Americans
Seven Syracuse men's lacrosse players, including Joey Spallina as a First Team selection, were named to Inside Lacrosse's Midseason All-Americans list.
Men's and Women's Teams Face Key ACC Matchups
On this date, the #7 Syracuse men's team is scheduled to play #2 North Carolina, while the #4 Syracuse women's team is set to face #17 Duke.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Syracuse University's lacrosse programs have a rich and celebrated history, with the men's team alone claiming 11 NCAA national championships (10 official, one vacated) since its first intercollegiate game in 1916. The early 2000s under coach John Desko saw a golden era for the men's team, mirroring the success of earlier dynasties.
However, the mid-2010s to early 2020s presented a period of rebuilding for the men's program, marked by a Final Four drought from 2014 to 2024. Gary Gait, a legendary former Syracuse player, took over as head coach in 2021 with a mission to restore the program to its championship standard. The 2023 season saw the men's team finish 8-7, showing signs of competitive resurgence. The 2024 season began with optimism, as the team entered the preseason ranked No. 9 nationally, bolstered by key returning players like Joey Spallina and Owen Hiltz, and strategic transfers.
The 2025 season marked a significant turning point for the men's team, as they achieved a 12-6 record, won their first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title since 2016, and returned to Championship Weekend (NCAA Semifinals) for the first time since 2013, ultimately losing in the NCAA Quarterfinals. This success solidified Gait's efforts in bringing the program back to national prominence.
As of the 2026 season, the Syracuse men's lacrosse team is performing exceptionally well. With a 9-2 overall record and a 1-0 ACC record as of April 4, 2026, they are ranked #7 nationally and are considered strong contenders for the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Key player Joey Spallina is having a standout season, accumulating 301 career points and is just seven points shy of breaking Mikey Powell's program record of 307 career points. The team recently secured a significant 16-15 victory over #4 Duke on March 28, 2026. Seven Syracuse players were named to Inside Lacrosse's Midseason All-Americans list in April 2026, highlighting the depth of talent.
The women's lacrosse program has also maintained a high level of competitiveness. In 2024, the team posted a 16-6 record and reached the NCAA Semifinals, where they lost to Boston College. The 2025 season, however, saw a dip in performance with a 10-9 record and a loss in the NCAA Tournament Second Round to Yale. Following this, head coach Kayla Treanor departed for Penn State in May 2025. Regy Thorpe, a Syracuse alum and former assistant coach, was named the new head coach in June 2025, signaling a new era for the women's program.
Under Coach Thorpe, the women's team has quickly found its stride in 2026. As of April 4, 2026, they are ranked #4 nationally and are on an impressive 10-game winning streak. They recently defeated #23 Pittsburgh 16-7 and are preparing to face #17 Duke. The team has seen four players named Nike Lacrosse Midseason All-Americans, indicating a strong roster despite some key departures and transfers in the offseason.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Syracuse Lacrosse made different choices?