It was a thriller of a season opener in the Dome for Kayla Treanor and the Orange.
A 16-15 win over Northwestern exorcized some demons as the Wildcats ended Syracuse’s season a year ago.
It was a win that sets the tone for a new season. A new team is ready to write their own story.
“This is a new year," Treanor said. "A new team excited for new goals, just really excited to start and get going.”
Entering year two, Treanor and the Orange feel ahead of where they were a season ago. They put an emphasis on developing deeper bonds with the players in the offseason.
What You Need To Know
- Kayla Treanor has her Syracuse Women's Lacrosse team primed for a National Championship run
- As she enters year two, she put an emphasis on building closer bonds with her players
- Coaching runs in her blood as her father and sister both are helping guide the next generations of athletes
“I just think I have a lot of passion for my players and this university," Treanor said. "I was very fortunate to be able to play at Syracuse, so being able to coach this team really means so much to me. The biggest thing is the players, like we’ve been talking about. They’re all so different, all so unique. They care so much about Syracuse lacrosse, and I love being able to work with them every day and be a part of their journey.”
Her passion for lacrosse was born in Niskayuna, where the support of her family has been unmatched.
“Growing up in Niskayuna and it being a big lacrosse town, my family has really been a part of me on this journey the whole way. I'm fortunate to have a lot of support. It means a lot. It helps me out and makes me feel good through the highs and the lows knowing I have support,” Treanor said.
Coaching is also in her blood. Her father, Mark, has been an assistant with Union College for the past six seasons, and her sister, Alyssa, was named the head women’s lacrosse coach at Union College this past summer.
They're two sisters on similar paths, finding love in what they do.
“So proud of her," Treanor said of her sister. "She’s at a school she loves too and coached at before, and now being able to go back and be the head coach at such a great school, it's so cool to watch her. I learned a lot from her and I’m just really proud of her.”
But it all comes back to her father, who inspired her to help grow the next generation of lacrosse players.
“That’s why we all like to coach in our family," Treanor said. "He’s been such an amazing mentor for us and inspiration. When you watch your father love something so much, it’s hard not to love it too.”