Stony Brook Women’s Lacrosse showed it was still a nationwide powerhouse with wins over No.4-ranked Syracuse and No.11-ranked Princeton in 2020. With a new season approaching, experts believe the Seawolves can replicate that success.
U.S. Lacrosse has slotted Stony Brook as the nation’s fifth-best women’s lacrosse team, the publication announced earlier today. It is the ninth consecutive season the team has begun its season ranked in a national publication poll. The Seawolves have begun the season ranked in the magazine’s Top-5 poll in three of the last four years.
Stony Brook opened last season with a 4-1 record before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
North Carolina tops the US/Nike Division-I Preseason Top 20 followed by Notre Dame, Loyola and Syracuse. Stony Brook defeated Syracuse 17-16 in the 2020 season opener on Monday, Feb. 10.
The publication also announced Ally Kennedy was its Preseason Midfielder and Player of the Year. It is the first time a Stony Brook athlete has been earned the honor by the magazine.
Kennedy led the America East Conference with 27 points, 22 goals and over four goals per contest. She led the conference and ranked fourth nationally by averaging over nine draw controls per game. The midfielder has won 242 draw controls, 248 points and 193 goals in 69 games played for Stony Brook.
The midfielder was also selected as the third-best player across D-I Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse by Inside Lacrosse Magazine in December 2020. She followed only Michael Sowers of Duke and Emily Hawryschuk of Syracuse. Kennedy’s teammate Taryn Ohlmiller placed 47th in the ranking.
Stony Brook has not announced a non-conference schedule as of the time of publication. It is currently slated to begin the season against the UAlbany Great Danes on Tuesday, March 27 at Lavalle Stadium.
