College lacrosse is back. As perhaps the most anticipated season in NCAA history approaches, we’re featuring every team ranked in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20.

Check back to USLaxMagazine.com each weekday for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis.

Last March, the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team was just hours away from playing Virginia with hopes of racking up its eighth win of the season when the Orange found out the devastating news: The season was canceled. 

“Immediately, your heart just drops,” star attacker Emily Hawryschuk said. “Everything that you’ve been working for, especially senior year — just like that, it was taken away. It totally hits you right in the gut.”

However, even in that moment immediately after hearing the news, Hawryschuk knew one thing for sure. If she was given another chance to play for the Orange, she was going to take it. 

“For me personally, it was an easy decision,” Hawryschuk said. “I’m going to come back and finish what I started and do whatever I can to find a way to put the jersey on again.” 

Then, Hawryschuk found out that nine other senior teammates were thinking the exact same thing. This didn’t come as a shock. 

“You fall in love with Syracuse. You fall in love with the program, with the coaches, with your teammates and the culture and everything that it stands for,” Hawryschuk said. “It wasn't that surprising to me that we had 10 people that, just like that, decided that they were going to [stay an extra year].” 

Taking the NCAA up on its waiver eligibility for student-athletes who missed out on the rest of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawryschuk and her teammates decided it would be worth putting post-college plans on hold to finish what they started. Shortly after the 10 seniors vowed to find a way to get back on the field, they found out they would get that chance.

What came first were hugs, tears and pure joy that they would get to be a part of something so special one last time. 

What came next was a vengeance to finish what they started and bring home a national championship.

This brings us to 2021. Ten of last year’s seniors, a strong senior class, a few freshmen with serious potential and Georgetown transfer Emily Ehle all have the same goal and motivation necessary to see it through. You do the math. Syracuse will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Orange coach Gary Gait said every player shares the same goal: winning a national championship, which Syracuse has never done despite the program’s recent history of top-10 finishes. Even more importantly, each individual values the team’s success over her own. 

“You have to be willing to step in and accept your role and be a great teammate,” Gait said. “I think they are dialed in and ready to do that.” 

Since there are so many returners, Hawryschuk said the fall was about figuring out how to blend the experienced players with the new talent. 

“What we tried to do in the fall is pick up with the chemistry, energy and all of the vibes that we had in the spring and share them with the incoming freshmen and one transfer,” Hawryschuk said. “Not taking any steps back, but rather, continuing to progress forward.”

Every year, Syracuse has a slogan, something to live by each day to get the players through the hard moments and justify the sacrifices they make for the team.

Last year, it was “All Aboard.” 

This year, it’s “Still Aboard.”

“It’s a nice reminder of why we’re here,” Hawryschuk said, “and what the ultimate goal is.”

TOP RETURNERS

Emily Hawryschuk, A, R-Sr.

Ranked No. 2 by Inside Lacrosse among all college lacrosse players (men and women), Hawryschuk is one of the best players to take the field for any team this year. Before 2020 got cut short, she ranked second nationally in goals (39) and goals per game (4.88). With 193 career goals, she is a scoring threat from anywhere on the field.

Sarah Cooper, D, Jr. 

One of the leaders on the defensive end who can be counted to take on any role — from jumping on the circle, to draw controls, to being the backer in the zone — Cooper does it all. She led the team in caused turnovers last year (12) and was one of the only sophomores to be named to the Tewaaraton watch list. She’s confident, poised and an excellent communicator.

Asa Goldstock, G, R-Sr.

Returning captain who has been the starter for Syracuse in goal since her freshman year. In 2020, Goldstock led the country in goals against average (7.07). She’s currently four saves shy of 500 for her career. She will not hesitate to pick off a pass or scoop up a ground ball outside of the crease. Attempting to shoot outside the 8 on her is likely a waste of time, but she also will react quickly to shots in close, rarely ever flinching or hesitating. Bottom line: Think carefully and place your shot well, knowing very well it still may not go in.

KEY ADDITION

Emma Ward, M, Fr.

Ward plays with uncommon confidence and poise for a freshman. She doesn’t fear making mistakes, which means she is more likely to take risks. Her lacrosse IQ and maturity level are far beyond her years.

ENEMY LINES

“More than ever, Syracuse is just absolutely stacked. You plug one hole and another one is going to open. They are just so talented and deep offensively. Hawryschuk is very tough opponent and someone who you spend so much time and energy on trying to figure out how to stop, and then you realize you have 11 other people to worry about as well. Syracuse is always extremely well-coached. They’re creative, they feed off each other well and I think this is going to be a tough year for teams to go up scouting against Syracuse.”

“They’ve got Hawryschuk. They’ve got a kid that when things get hot, she can put the team on her back and do it. But I think their defense is overrated. I’m not totally convinced that defense is what it is.”

“Their offense is obviously really high-scoring again. Hawryschuk is a phenomenal player and can not only find crazy ways to score, but can also be a good leader for them on the offensive end. The ACC will be fun to watch in what they can do, what Notre Dame can do, what Carolina can do.”

“Syracuse is loaded with talent. They can score a million goals, and they have the ability to disrupt their opponent’s attack. They’re going to be a top-four team and a team to beat for sure. They have so many weapons. It’s going to be a matter of, can they make their weapons work well together? They’ve been doing that pretty well over the last couple years.”

“They’re really hungry and the depth they have is intimidating. There’s an emotional excitement to that team led by Asa Goldstock. They’re going to be deadly this year, to be completely honest with you.”

NUMBERS GAME

7
Goals Emily Hawryschuk needs to reach 200 for her career. She is a multi-faceted scoring threat who must be mitigated early for any team to have a chance to take down Syracuse.