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Six games into the 2025 season, Syracuse is on a steep decline, most recently ranking No. 10, its lowest spot since 2019. Its offense has faltered following the sudden loss of Olivia Adamson to a season-ending injury, while its revamped defense has seen mixed success.

But one consistent positive area for the Orange (3-3, 0-2 Atlantic Coast) so far is at goalie. Junior netminder Daniella Guyette has stood strong in the cage to begin her first season as a starter, replacing Delaney Sweitzer, who transferred to Northwestern. Guyette has notched a .516 save percentage, ranking 10th in the nation and nearly 100 points above Sweitzer’s mark last season. She’s also produced the third-most saves in the country (65) and helped hold opponents to 10 or fewer goals in four of Syracuse’s six games.

Despite a heavier workload from her sophomore season, where she played in just seven games, and increased expectations from her teammates and coaches, Guyette knew she was up to the task. And to start her junior campaign, she’s proven herself right.

“The pressure, while it is a great opportunity to have, it’s almost artificial,” Guyette said before Syracuse’s season-opener against UAlbany. “(The starting role) is still going to have the same pressure I had last year when I had the chance to play at times.”

Even during SU’s recent string of losses to No. 2 North Carolina, No. 3 Northwestern and then-No. 12 Clemson, Guyette has remained a reliable presence in goal. She’s logged more than 10 saves in four of her starts this season, keeping games close while Syracuse struggled on offense.

Guyette showed she could do more than make key saves in high school. At Newbury Park High School (California), she sparked the Panthers’ transition offense with 60-to-70 foot clears.

Through six games, Daniella Guyette boasts a .516 save percentage and has made 65 saves, both ranking in the top 10 in the nation. Leonardo Eriman | Asst. Video Editor

Guyette’s knack for clearing the defensive zone has come in handy at the college level. Under new goalkeeping coach Maggie Koch, the skill has sharpened — becoming a staple in SU head coach Kayla Treanor’s game plan. After saves, Guyette consistently heaves long passes downfield, leading to scoring chances.

During Syracuse’s 21-9 thumping of UAlbany to open the season, Guyette finished her debut with just three saves on 13 shots. Still, she only let up six goals before being pulled and led the Orange to a nearly flawless 18-for-19 mark on clears. Through six games, she’s spearheaded SU’s 87.9% mark on clears.

“We’re a fast team and really our transition offense starts with her,” Treanor said of Guyette after the UAlbany game. “She gets the ball out quickly, so it’s been great to have her back there, and she’s just going to get better with experience.”

In game two, Guyette was given a much tougher task against then-No. 7 Maryland in College Park. She responded to the challenge in a big way. Her 11 saves and 55% save percentage helped Syracuse break away from the Terrapins by the end of the third quarter, leading 13-6, as it cruised to a statement win.

Following another one-sided 18-10 beatdown over Cornell three days later, Syracuse’s offense could no longer back up Guyette’s consistency without Adamson.

Joe Zhao | Design Editor

But despite North Carolina and Northwestern outscoring SU 28-16 in its next two matchups, Guyette still held her own in the crease, maintaining a 50-plus save percentage in each game. Her 16 and 13 saves, respectively, helped give Syracuse’s offense opportunities to draw even or take the lead. But the goals never came for the Orange, and they dropped both games.

Still in search of its first conference win, Syracuse returned home for another ranked matchup against then-No. 12 Clemson. Guyette turned in yet another strong performance.

The junior allowed nine goals — tied for her second-lowest mark of the season — and stonewalled the Tigers on all three of their free-position attempts. The Orange never trailed by more than two goals in the game, thanks to Guyette’s timely stops.

Still, it wasn’t enough with SU’s lifeless offense. Syracuse’s attack let its goalie down again, managing just eight goals for the third straight game en route to a 9-8 setback.

Amid its first three-game skid since 2018, Syracuse will continue to look toward Guyette in net as it tries to get back into the win column and resurrect its season.

“I know I might not fully fill in, but I’m going to do the best I can with who I have and I’m just grateful to be here and move forward with this squad,” Guyette said.

Published on March 3, 2025 at 10:46 pm

Contact Matthew: mgray06@syr.edu | @ma77hew_gray