Two Tewaaraton finalists return, alongside seven other healthy nominees for last year’s award, including two that are coming off stellar summers on the international stage.

Five 2017 first-team All-Americans are aiming for the 2018 final four, hailing from the 2016 national champion North Carolina, the 2017 first-time championship participant Boston College, the 2017 national champion Maryland and the 2018 NCAA championship host Stony Brook.

Narrowing it down to four, US Lacrosse Magazine has named Sam Apuzzo (Boston College), Marie McCool (North Carolina), Kylie Ohlmiller (Stony Brook) and Megan Whittle (Maryland) as finalists for Warrior Division I Women’s Preseason Player of the Year.

We've named the four finalists for @warriorlax Division I Women's Preseason Player of the Year. Vote and read more https://t.co/2iPUHoynfj

CC: @BCwlax, @uncwlax, @StonyBrookWLAX, @MarylandWLax

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) January 3, 2018

The magazine’s staff will select a winner to be published in its February NCAA preview edition. Fans are encouraged to vote on Twitter, but the results will not determine the preseason player of the year.

You could make the case for any of the 2017 NCAA All-Tournament Team honorees – Navy attackers Julia Collins and Kelly Larkin, Penn State midfielders Maggie Gallagher and Katie O’Donnell, Boston College midfielder Kenzie Kent or Maryland’s host of standouts in midfielders Jen Giles and Kali Harshorn and attacker Caroline Steele.

Throw in some defensive dark horses including Stony Brook’s Brooke Gubitosi, USC’s Lydia Sutton or Terps goalie Megan Taylor, and the race widens. Plus numerous attackers could rise to the top of the charts this season such as Madison Carter (Penn State) or Riley Donahue (Syracuse).

As the season progresses, more names will surface for consideration.

More on the finalists for Warrior Division I Women’s Preseason Player of the Year:

Sam Apuzzo
Boston College

After suffering an injury her freshman season, Apuzzo had a breakout campaign in 2017, leading Boston College to its first national championship appearance with a team-high 119 points, which broke the program’s single-season record. In addition to leading the Eagles in goals and assists, the all-ACC first-team honoree tallied a team-high 71 draw controls.
– Megan Schneider

Marie McCool
North Carolina

Fresh off winning gold medals with Team USA at the World Cup and World Games this summer, McCool, a two-time All-American, is one of the best all-around players in the game and a strong candidate for the Tewaaraton. In addition to her 50 goals, she led UNC in ground balls and caused turnovers last year.
– Brian Logue

Kylie Ohlmiller
Stony Brook

Ohlmiller, the first Tewaaraton finalist in Stony Brook and America East history, could be a shoo-in for the Tewaaraton in 2018. She topped the points record set by the first-ever Tewaaraton recipient Jen Adams with 164 in 2017. She’s on track for another record season as the Seawolves host the NCAA championship in May.
– Megan Schneider

Megan Whittle
Maryland

Last year, Whittle scored 71 goals to lead Maryland’s NCAA-leading offense. If Whittle keeps up her current pace with 214 goals so far in her career, she will surpass the legendary Jen Adams’ all-time goals record of 267 at Maryland. Coming off a bronze medal summer with Team England, Whittle continues to evolve as a complete offensive force.
– Brian Logue