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In Syracuse’s back-to-back runs to the Final Four the last two seasons, Delaney Sweitzer emerged as a brick wall in net. She amassed 343 career saves and a 44.7% save percentage in her three years with the program.

But after Sweitzer transferred to Northwestern in the offseason, there was a gaping void left in net. Next in line to command the pipes was junior Daniella Guyette, who’d only logged 78 minutes in seven games entering SU’s season-opener.

But in her first career start versus UAlbany (0-1, 0-0 America East) Friday, Guyette led Syracuse (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) to a comfortable 21-9 victory. Playing most of the first four quarters, the Newbury Park, California, native allowed just six goals on 13 shots, boosting Kayla Treanor’s confidence going forward.

“It can be hard when you’re not seeing a lot of shots for an extended period of time. But I thought she played really well,” Treanor said postgame. “I think game experience is going to help her.”

Guyette’s skills began developing on local club teams in Newbury Park. She became the only goalie for three different club teams in middle school, preparing her to take on any pressure she faced as SU’s starting netminder.

In high school, Guyette completed one-on-one training sessions with former Division I goalies — including North Carolina’s Megan Ward and Stanford’s Lyndsey Munoz — rounding out her game. This allowed Guyette to dominate in high school, totaling 339 saves and a .493 save percentage.

After committing to Syracuse, Guyette tore her ACL months into her freshman season. She soaked in everything from Sweitzer. Postgame, she credited Sweitzer’s ability to push the ball downfield after a save.

That’s exactly how her day started in Syracuse’s season-opener versus UAlbany. With 13 minutes left in the first quarter, SU’s defense forced the ball from the Great Danes’ Dylana Williams’ hands, and the ball rolled to Guyette.

The goalie then delivered a pass to a wide-open Alexa Vogelman at Syracuse’s 35-yard line. Vogelman dished to Sam DeVito to give the Orange an early 2-0 lead.

The long pass wasn’t anything new for Guyette. Since learning from Sweitzer, Treanor said she’s had no trouble clearing the ball, sparking SU’s transition offense.

“We’re a fast team, and our transition offense starts with her,” Treanor said. “She has a great clearing ability. She gets the ball out quickly, so it’s been great to have her back there.”

UAlbany didn’t attempt its first shot until the 10:23 mark of the first. Grace McCauley passed the ball to Mikaela Mooney with SU’s Kaci Benoit guarding her closely. Mooney unleashed an off-balance attempt from the left of the eight-meter circle. It flew right at Guyette, who flipped her net underhand and easily snagged the shot.

Guyette wasn’t tested for the next seven minutes, mostly due to Syracuse’s stifling defense. The unit faced change all across the board after key starters Katie Goodale, Hallie Simkins and Bianca Chevarie graduated. But with returners Benoit and Coco Vandiver leading the way alongside freshman Alexia Reber, SU caused 18 turnovers in the contest.

“None of this would have been possible without the defense in front of me,” Guyette said. “They’re the ones out there pushing me forward, motivating me a ton.”

With a minute left in the first — despite UAlbany being a player up after Julia Basciano was given a yellow card — she showed up big again. The Great Danes maneuvered the ball to nearly every player, with Williams eventually receiving it just outside the eight-meter circle. She moved around Vogelman and drilled a shot directly at Guyette. It clanged off her body, and she corralled the ball on the ground.

Despite notching another save a minute-and-a-half into the second quarter, it was bookended by two UAlbany goals, pushing the score to 8-4 just three minutes in.

But from there, Guyette and SU’s defense held strong. The unit didn’t allow the Great Danes to score from Haley Phalines’ goal with 12:33 remaining in the second until nearly 10 minutes had passed in the third — over 22 minutes of game time.

Though Guyette didn’t face many shots, she was ready when the ball came her way. As Mooney circled behind the net, Benoit stuck to her. All she could do was heave a desperation pass to Phalines in front of the net. Guyette, anticipating the pass, snagged it out of the air, handing possession back to the Orange.

With Syracuse commanding a 20-6 lead with 10 minutes to go in the fourth, Guyette was subbed out for freshman Allie Hanlon, ending her day.

After two years sitting behind Sweitzer, Guyette showed she could be a viable option for SU between the pipes going forward despite only recording three saves. She understands she may experience growing pains early, but these early minutes versus a lesser opponent will help her as the competition ramps up.

“I think it was just getting my feet wet. The past year I’ve had chances to play a couple minutes, and I’ve been very grateful for that,” Guyette said. “Moving forward, (I’m) just taking it quarter by quarter.”

Published on February 7, 2025 at 6:26 pm

Contact Noah: njnussba@syr.edu | @ Noahnuss99