ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany women's lacrosse team opens its 2025 season on the road, taking on the 2024 NCAA Semi-Finalist Syracuse Orange on Friday, February 7 at 1:30 pm in the JMA Wireless Dome.
 
Game Info vs. No. 6 Syracuse
February 7, 2025, | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, N.Y. | 1:30 pm 
Live Stats | ACCNX | Tickets
 
 
Leading the Pack 

• UAlbany went 3-6 on the road last season; Syracuse went 9-2 at home.
• The 2024 America East Goalkeeper of the Year, Grace Cincebox (8-10, 5-1) returns in net for the Great Danes, having recorded 164 saves in 18 games with 1056:58 time spent in net allowing 229 goals for 13.00 goals against average and .417 save percentage.
• Defender of the Year, Mackenzie Salentre is back in Purple and Gold having ranked first in the conference in caused turnovers (26) and helped UAlbany allow the least number of goals per game in the America East (9.85).
• Haley Phalines, the Great Danes draw control specialist, 2024 First Team All-AE selection, and 2025 All-AE Preseason selection is back, having led UAlbany with 119 draw control wins.
• UAlbany returns 2024 second-team all-conference and preseason selection Gracie McCauley who ranked second on the team last year in points (39) and goals (37).
• The Great Danes return seven starters from 2024 with McCauley, Phalines, Cincebox, Salentre, Courtney Rowe, Skyler Bauer, and Emma Torkoff.
• UAlbany's last won a season opener in 2019.

 
Scouting Syracuse  
The Orange went 16-6 in 2024 making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament Semi-Finals before falling to eventual NCAA Champions Boston College 7-10. Finishing 8-1 in the ACC in 2024, the 2025 ACC Preseason Coaches' Poll picked Syracuse to finish fourth in the conference behind defending champs BC, North Carolina, and Virginia. Having lost key pieces such as 2023 IWLCA and ACC Goalkeeper of the Year Delaney Sweitzer and the no. 8 points leader (273) and goal scorer (197) in program history Emma Tyrell, 'Cuse will look to replace big names while also returning 2024 Inside Lacrosse and US Lacrosse Magazine Honorable Mention All-America Emma Ward who recorded 44 goals, 37 assists for 81 points for Syracuse in 2024. In addition to Ward, Olivia Adamson who was second in scoring for the 'Cuse in 2024 with 58 goals and 25 assists for 83 points, midfielder Emma Muchnick and Kaci Benoit were named All-ACC Preseason.
 
Previously vs. The Orange
March 19, 2024 | Katie Pascale scored three goals and added one assist with seven draws. Grace McCauley and Kloey Roos each scored twice. Megan Dineen recorded two assists. Grace Cincebox recorded 12 saves. UAlbany outdrew Syracuse 18-16. Syracuse outshot UAlbany 42-29. Three Orange players each scored four goals.
 
Since 2005 the Great Danes are 0-12 all-time against the Orange.  
 
Last Time Out
The Great Danes finished the 2024 season falling short, 11-12 at home in the America East Championship game to Binghamton, who UAlbany will see in the final regular season game of 2025. Megan Dineen, Grace McCauley, and Ava Poupard each recorded a hat trick. Bryar Hogg scored one goal and added two assists. Mikaela Mooney recorded two assists. Jaedyn Frink scored her first goal of the season. Binghamton outdrew UAlbany 18-9, including 8-1 in the second quarter. UAlbany was called for 32 fouls to Binghamton's 16.
 
Preseason Outlook
In a vote by the coaches around the America East, UAlbany was voted to finish the season second in the conference behind Binghamton. Click here for a full preseason preview. Gracie McCauley, Grace Cincebox, Mackenzie Salentre, and Haley Phalines were all selected to the 2025 America East Women's Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team.
 
Schedule Strength
Once again, the Great Danes will boast one of the toughest schedules in the country.  Highlighted by the presence of two of four 2024 Final Four teams, including both national champion Boston College and Opening the season against Semi-Finalist Syracuse, UAlbany's 2025 schedule features four teams that earned berths into the 2024 NCAA Tournament, three 2024 conference champions, and three teams ranked in the final media poll of 2024.  Four future opponents ranked in the top 25 of the 2025 Inside Lacrosse preseason poll. 
  
Free for Students 
UAlbany fans and students can attend UAlbany women's lacrosse home games at John Fallon Field all season long.
 
Social Central 
Stay up to date with UAlbany women's lacrosse by following the team on X (@UAlbanyWLax) and Instagram (UAlbanyWLax) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.