Yale Athletics

The Yale Bulldogs (8–3, 1–1 Ivy) took down the Syracuse Orange (8–5, 4–2 ACC) 13–10 in what many people deemed a rematch of the 2024 NCAA quarterfinal. 

The last time these two teams faced each other was late last spring in the NCAA tournament, where Syracuse won by a 10-goal difference 19–9. Yesterday, however, was a different story.

Coming off of a three-game losing streak, the Bulldogs were hungry for a win to get them back on track. 

“This was definitely the perfect spark,” Sophie Straka ’25 told the News. “I’m really proud of everyone. It’s been a tough few weeks. Not many teams could have pulled off a win like this. Everyone stayed resilient.”

In addition to their determination, the Bulldogs found out that one of Syracuse’s best attackers, Olivia Adamson, had recently been sidelined for the rest of the season. These two facts gave the Bulldogs some much needed confidence coming into this competition. 

Yale came out strong in the first quarter, putting up two goals in the first two minutes. This is a team known for their tenacity and that was exactly what was on display yesterday. 

Syracuse didn’t score their first goal until 5 minutes into the game, which was quickly followed by another goal from Yale’s sharp shooter Fallon Vaughn ’25. 

At the end of the first quarter, the game was tied up 4–4, as Syracuse regained their footing. The second quarter stayed close for the first five minutes until Yale put up two more points, coming from Vaughn and Taylor Lane ’25 making the score 5–7.

Vaughn was on fire today, scoring her fourth goal of the day early in the third quarter, bringing the score to 8–5. However, the Orange received a second wind in the third quarter putting up two more after Vaughn. 

Going into the fourth quarter at 8–7, the Bulldogs needed to widen the gap between them and Syracuse. None other than Tewaaraton watch list’s Jenna Collignon ’25 took on this job. Collignon put up two goals in the first two minutes, making a statement as both teams entered the last fifteen minutes of play.

From there, both Yale and Syracuse scored three goals each before the final buzzer rang. However, Jenna had widened that gap too far for the Orange to make a significant comeback and the Bulldogs ended on top 13–10. 

This was an incredible show of talent, sharp shooting, and endurance, as the Bulldogs pushed themselves all the way until the end of this game. 

“This game was really a full team win. There were times when the defense had to stand on its head, but we were really locked in and prepared. Our goalies were amazing,” Straka told the News. 

The Bulldogs needed a well earned win against a top ten opponent to remind them of how dangerous they are and the potential they have to make it far in the NCAA tournament for a second year in a row. 

This Sunday, the Bulldogs will take on their third Ivy League opponent of the season, the Dartmouth Big Green, in Reese Stadium at 12pm.