Cards Battle in Loss to No. 12 Syracuse

Saturday, February 28

LOUISVILLE, KY

12:00 PM

University of Louisville

2-4, 0-3

Syracuse

2-3, 1-2

Syracuse

Louisville

February 28, 2026 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Ella Berg nets a career-high four goals, Haley Richards collects 15 saves in 13-10 loss to No. 12 Syracuse

By: Lori Harmon

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ella Berg delivered a career-high four goals as the University of Louisville lacrosse team battled, but ultimately fell 13-10 to No. 12 Syracuse in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup Saturday afternoon at UofL Lacrosse Stadium.

After falling behind 5-1 in the first quarter, the Cardinals (2-4, 0-3) fought back to tie the game in the second quarter and again in the third, but the Orange (2-3, 1-2) pulled away and withstood a late Louisville charge to hold on for the 13-10 win.

"I thought today was a great lacrosse game, a 13-10 battle between two teams who left it all on the field," said UofL head coach Scott Teeter. "We played for a full 60 minutes, we battled through some adversity, made a lot of adjustments and made a lot of positive plays out there. Syracuse is a fantastic team and they are very skilled; they capitalize on your mistakes and that happened a little bit today too. But we had a response and I couldn't be more proud of our girls."

Four Cardinals contributed goals in the contest, paced by Berg's career-high showing. Maggie McMahon registered two goals and two assists and Charlotte Jackson added a pair of goals. Reese Whiteman scored and an assist while Erin Nicholson also tacked on a goal. Haley Richards collected 15 saves.

Syracuse attacked early in the game, delivering three shots on goal, all stopped by Richards, but it was Louisville who broke through first when McMahon connected with Berg for her first goal of the contest.

The Orange countered with five unanswered goals to take 5-1 lead, but the Cards responded with a 4-0 run with a pair of goals by McMahon sandwiching Berg's second score of the game and culminating with a free position goal by Charlotte Jackson to tie the game at 5-5 with 3:31 left in the half.

A minute later, Syracuse pulled back ahead with a goal by Bri Peters to take a 6-5 lead into the break. In the first 30 minutes of play, the Orange outshot Louisville 17-13, but the Cards held a 9-3 advantage in draw controls.

The Cardinals struck first in the opening minutes of the second quarter with Berg's third goal of the game to even the score at 6-6.

A 4-0 Syracuse run over a five minute span gave the Orange a 10-6 lead, but back-to-back goals by Whiteman and Berg pulled the Cards within two. The Orange answered with three more goals over the next two minutes to push the lead back to 13-8 midway through the fourth quarter. Once again, the Cards battled back with Jackson's second goal of the game followed by one from Erin Nicholson with 3:57 left to play.

Louisville attacked again, but Whiteman's shot was turned back by Syracuse goalie Daniella Guyette with 2:11 left and the Orange prevailed 13-10.

In the game, Louisville led 17-8 in draw controls and matched her career high with six draw controls. Olivia Scroggie followed closely with five and Rian Adkins earned three. Cate Kangas had two groundballs and two caused turnovers on the defensive end.

Syracuse held a 28-16 advantage in shots on goal with Molly Guzik leading the way with four on the day. Guyette recorded six saves for the Orange.

Louisville will continue ACC play on Wednesday when Florida State visits UofL Lacrosse Stadium for a 12 p.m. contest.