Syracuse women's lacrosse built one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season, stacking up wins against elite competition to prove they could handle postseason pressure. With a 13-5 record and a resume packed with quality victories, the Orange had every reason to expect a home game when Selection Sunday arrived. But the tournament committee saw things differently. Instead of earning one of the eight seeded host spots, Syracuse was sent on the road to Annapolis to begin their NCAA journey.

For the players, the snub is fuel, not frustration. "Obviously, at the beginning of the season, you hope to earn a home game in the playoffs, but five wins are five wins no matter where you play," said sophomore attacker Molly Guzik. "Right now, our mindset is to take the first one and go from there." She added that the team has fully embraced the underdog role, carrying a chip on their shoulder as they march through the tournament.

That attitude runs through the entire roster. First-year head coach Regy Thorpe kept his message simple and focused when asked about the decision. "We're just excited to be in the tournament, and all of our focus is on the Loyola Greyhounds," Thorpe said. No drama, no excuses—just preparation.

There's also the comfort of familiarity. The Orange have already faced Loyola this season, earning a decisive 15-7 win at the Dome—a victory that marked Thorpe's first as head coach and sparked an impressive 11-game winning streak. But as any sports fan knows, beating a team twice is never easy, and the players aren't taking anything for granted.

"We know that people always say it is hard to beat a team twice, but that does not change our confidence level," Guzik said. "We've had the last week to focus on ourselves, and we are ready to go." Junior defender Izzy Lahah echoed that sentiment, noting that while Loyola can study film and adjust, Syracuse can do the same.

For a team that thrives on proving doubters wrong, the road trip might be exactly what they need. If the Orange can take care of business, they could be on the field twice in three days—and they're ready for the opportunity ahead.