Women's Lacrosse Names 2026 Captains
11/5/2025 6:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
SYRACUSE, New York – Syracuse head women's lacrosse coach Regy Thorpe has announced the squad's team captains for the 2026 season. The group includes seniors Emma Muchnick and Coco Vandiver and juniors Kaci Benoit and Joely Caramelli. Muchnick and Benoit will serve in the role for the second-straight year, while Vandiver and Caramelli are first-time captains.
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Muchnick posted career highs in goals (34), points (41), ground balls (27) and caused turnovers (9) last season. The midfielder was a first-team All-ACC and All-Northeast Region selection. Muchnick earned third-team All-America honors from US Lacrosse Magazine and honorable mention All-America accolades from Inside Lacrosse.
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Vandiver is a three-year starter on defense for the Orange. She led the team with a career-high 40 caused turnovers last season, which ranks second on Syracuse's single-season record list. Vandiver was an honorable mention All-America honoree by US Lacrosse Magazine as an All-Region Second Team and All-ACC Third Team selection.
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Benoit has started every game for Syracuse the past two seasons. She tied for the team lead in ground balls with a career-high 34 a year ago. Benoit also had a career-best 13 draw controls to go along with 12 caused turnovers. The defender helped the Orange hold their opponents to 10 goals or less in seven games. Benoit was voted to the All-Northeast Region Second Team and the All-ACC Third Team.
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Caramelli posted career highs in every statistical category last season, including points (20), goals (16) and assists (4). She also picked up 23 ground balls and caused 11 turnovers. The midfielder also saw significant time on the draw and ranked second on the squad with 39 draw controls.
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Muchnick posted career highs in goals (34), points (41), ground balls (27) and caused turnovers (9) last season. The midfielder was a first-team All-ACC and All-Northeast Region selection. Muchnick earned third-team All-America honors from US Lacrosse Magazine and honorable mention All-America accolades from Inside Lacrosse.
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Vandiver is a three-year starter on defense for the Orange. She led the team with a career-high 40 caused turnovers last season, which ranks second on Syracuse's single-season record list. Vandiver was an honorable mention All-America honoree by US Lacrosse Magazine as an All-Region Second Team and All-ACC Third Team selection.
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Benoit has started every game for Syracuse the past two seasons. She tied for the team lead in ground balls with a career-high 34 a year ago. Benoit also had a career-best 13 draw controls to go along with 12 caused turnovers. The defender helped the Orange hold their opponents to 10 goals or less in seven games. Benoit was voted to the All-Northeast Region Second Team and the All-ACC Third Team.
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Caramelli posted career highs in every statistical category last season, including points (20), goals (16) and assists (4). She also picked up 23 ground balls and caused 11 turnovers. The midfielder also saw significant time on the draw and ranked second on the squad with 39 draw controls.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's LacrosseSyracuse Women's Lacrosse Fall Ball Interviews
Friday, October 24
Head Coach Regy Thorpe Fall Ball Interview
Thursday, October 23
Regy Thorpe Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, June 18
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Monday, May 12
