Meaghan Tyrrell Dominates as Coach Kayla Treanor Starts 2-0 With Syracuse
By Ian Nicholas | @IanNicholas25
Citrus TV Women’s Lacrosse Beat Reporter
SYRACUSE, NY – Through her first two games on the job, head coach Kayla Treanor has No. 3 Syracuse (2-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) clicking on all cylinders. Treanor and the Orange faced an enticing challenge to start 2022, hosting the reigning PAC-12 champion, No. 13 Stanford. Not only did last Friday’s matchup mark the beginning of the Treanor era, it also marked the return of captains Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney from injury. In SU’s 12-9 victory over Stanford, neither Hawryschuk nor Carney did anything special, however (netting one goal a piece). Instead, the superstar who emerged in 2021 following Hawrkyschuk and Carney’s absence led the way. Senior Meaghan Tyrrell established herself as this squad’s No. 1 option once again, scoring a team-high six goals on eight shots.
Treanor coached against Tyrrell four times last season as part of Boston College’s staff, including the national championship. The Mt. Sinai native accounted for 12 points in those battles. Tyrrell’s new coach already knew she was a special player; but Friday’s win showed Treanor what kind of leader Tyrrell was when adversity struck.
“She really willed a win today for us,” said Treanor post-game. “There were a lot of great moments and a lot of great plays, but Meaghan was just really consistent all game and stepped up. I think the thing that stands out to me now knowing her so well is her leadership. She is just a phenomenal leader for us on and off the field. Really carried the team in many ways today.”
When Syracuse trailed 5-3 early in the second quarter, it was Tyrrell who posted three scores in the span of five minutes to give Syracuse a lead. Tyrrell took over again midway through the second half, scoring three more times. Her last goal gave SU a three goal advantage with 9:07 to go. Sister Emma Tyrrell played well in the win, too. The versatile junior finished with two goals, three ground balls, and an assist to her sibling.
Syracuse was back in The Dome on Sunday afternoon, hosting a team the Orange were 8-0 against all-time, Binghamton. Although a lively Bearcat crowd made for a fun atmosphere in the stands, only SU enjoyed success on the field, with a final score of 23-6. Syracuse’s 7-1 lead late in the first quarter was spearheaded by four points from who else but Meaghan Tyrrell. The All-American scored another four points in the final three frames, finishing with five goals and three assists. Speaking of All-Americans, Megan Carney used this game to remind the nation how talented a shotmaker she is. After a lowkey showing against Stanford, Carney dazzled with four goals and an assist on Sunday. Number 22’s second goal may have been the most impressive of her Syracuse career. Playing from X, Meaghan Tyrrell dodged right, flung a pass to a cutting Carney, who while fading away from the cage, whipped her stick over her right shoulder and scored. The behind-the-back goal was so impressive, it landed on ESPN’s Sportscenter Top 10 list, clocking in at No. 2 during Monday’s show. This duo played off each other with elite chemistry as always, making Treanor a happy camper.
“I think for both of them, they were feeling it today,” said Treanor post-game. “When they’re on, I want them to be able to go and play free and take chances…They have a really great connection with each other, which is really hard to stop.”
No. 3 Syracuse will look to stay hot on Sunday, February 20, when No. 4 Stony Brook comes to town. This game will not only serve as the Seawolves season-opener, but also as Syracuse Lacrosse Legends Day. Former Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse coach Roy Simmons Jr. will join the SU Ring of Honor, and both Gary Gait and Katie Rowan will have their jerseys retired. As the women’s lacrosse head coach following his playing days, Gait brought the Orange to three national championship game appearances in 15 seasons. Rowan will become just the second woman to have her jersey retired by Syracuse. The current University of Albany women’s coach, Rowan is Syracuse’s all-time leader in points (396) and assists (164), numbers that rank fourth on the Division I career scoring list and third on the career assists list.
