In a season that was cut short due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there was still some good news to be talked about for many teams, including the Syracuse and Stony Brook women’s teams who have earned post-season accolades. The Orange finished the shortened season ranked fourth by Inside Lacrosse with a 7-1 record, their sole loss coming from Stony Brook, who finished the season ranked fifth with a 4-1 record, losing to Florida in a road matchup.
Syracuse and Stony Brook, both highlighted throughout the season, especially with the highly anticipated game between the two teams in which the Seawolves came out victorious 17-16. During the pre-season two players on each team earned a spot on the Tewaaraton Award Watch List, the award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States and is denoted as Lacrosse’s Heisman trophy. The watch list players included sophomore defender Sarah Cooper and senior attacker Emily Hawryschuk from Syracuse and Stony Brook seniors Ally Kennedy, midfielder, and attacker Taryn Ohlmiller.
All four players highlighted on the watch list have earned themselves spots on the 2020 Maverik Women’s DI All-Americans list presented by Inside Lacrosse. Hawryschuk and Kennedy highlighted the first team list that included nine other players that were on the Tewaaraton Watch List.
Hawryschuk finished the season with 39 goals and seven assists and a shooting percentage of .591, bringing her career total to 193 goals, 40 assists and a .515 shooting percentage. Hawryschuk’s 39 goals and 4.88 goals per game gave ranked her second in the nation behind American’s Emma Vinall’s 42 goals and 6.00 per game. Ally Kennedy had 22 goals on the season, a shooting percentage of .688, and a draw control of 47, 9.40 per game, which placed her fifth in the nation for draw controls per game. Kennedy’s 4.40 goals per game were also good for fifth place.
The NCAA recently ruled any spring sport athlete is eligible for an extra year of playing eligibility. It is unclear if Hawryschuk will return for a fifth season, Kennedy made it clear of her return immediately. The Stony Brook senior tweeted her decision less than 24 hours after the season was canceled. The tweet addressed the Stony Brook fans and featured a photo of herself and head coach Joe Spallina.
Syracuse defenders Cooper and senior Kerry Defliese earned second-team honors, while attacker Taryn Ohlmiller, highlighted the third team with Hofstra senior attacker Alyssa Parrella. Ohlmiller has also announced her decision to return for her fifth season, joining teammate Ally Kennedy. Honorable mentions included Syracuse sophomore’s Megan Carney and Meaghan Tyrrell.
