On today’s episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Delaney Sweitzer, a standout senior goalie from the Syracuse Orange.
Delaney is coming off an incredible season where she was named the IWLCA Goalkeeper of the Year.
Sweitzer finished in the top 12 in four categories in the final NCAA Division I statistics. She ranked seventh nationally in saves (185), eighth in save percentage (.505) and 12th in goals-against average (9.20). In addition, Sweitzer was third in ground balls per game (3.71).
The Hatfield, PA native earned first-team All-America honors from the IWLCA, Inside Lacrosse Magazine and USA Lacrosse Magazine. She earned the ACC Goalkeeper of the Year award and was voted to the All-ACC First Team. She also earned a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
Sweitzer posted double figures in saves in eight games in 2023. She posted a then career-high 11 saves in the season opener against Northwestern, marking the first time she reached double-digit saves in her career.
Sweitzer made a career-best 15 saves in regular-season wins against Virginia Tech and North Carolina, while her 11 saves against Johns Hopkins tied for the fifth-highest total for a Syracuse goalkeeper in an NCAA Tournament game.
Finishing the year with an impressive 185 saves, Delaney secured the fourth spot on the single-season school record list.
Sweitzer joins an elite group, becoming the fifth Orange member to receive the IWLCA Player of the Year award. Remarkably, she is the second goalkeeper to achieve this honor, following in the footsteps of Liz Hogan (2010).
During her formative years, Delaney looked up to goalie greats like Hogan and Devon Wills, who played pivotal roles in recruiting her to USC, where she began her college lacrosse journey.
Prior to winning goalie of the year, Sweitzer got her start playing lacrosse by playing boy’s lacrosse with her twin sister wanted to follow in the footsteps of their older brother and there was no girl’s lacrosse program in her hometown. She ended up hoping in net as it was her turn in the goalie rotation and liked it so much, she never left.
Delaney’s passion for the position grew as she honed her skills by facing shots from her siblings and studying the techniques of players like Hogan and Wills.
High school proved to be a launching pad for Sweitzer’s career. At Chestnut Hill Academy, she accumulated 486 saves, 84 caused turnovers, and 93 ground balls, earning recognition as a U.S. Lacrosse High School All-American, two-time Under Armour All-American, and two-time conference Defensive MVP.
Her talent did not go unnoticed, and college programs began vying for her attention. Delaney eventually committed to the USC Trojans during her sophomore year, fulfilling a dream to play college lacrosse alongside her sister Savannah.
While at USC, Delaney made appearances in three games as a sophomore, starting one, and posted a .429 save percentage with an 8.65 goals-against average.
However, circumstances, including the challenges posed by COVID, prompted Delaney to seek a transfer closer to home, aiming for a shot at a national championship. Alongside her sister, she decided to make the move to Syracuse going into her junior year.
After initially sharing playing time with Kimber Hower during her first season at Syracuse, Delaney secured the starting position in her senior year. The 2023 season proved to be a turning point, culminating in her well-deserved Goalie of the Year award.
In this podcast episode, Delaney and I delve into various topics, including the significance of a reset routine, the qualities of a great teammate, and tips for making crucial 8-meter saves. I hope you enjoy this insightful conversation with Delaney Sweitzer.
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