2024 NCAA Lacrosse Preview: No. 9 Loyola (Women)

The 2024 Division I women's college lacrosse season kicks off February 9. As is our annual tradition, we’re featuring every team ranked in the USA Lacrosse Preseason Top 20 in the lead up to opening day. Check back to USALaxMagazine.com each weekday this month for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis. 

NO. 9 LOYOLA

2023 Record: 19-3 (9-0, Patriot)
Final Ranking (2023): No. 8
Head Coach: Jen Adams
Assistants: Dana Dobbie, Caroline Hager, Livy Rosenzweig

Loyola’s 2024 detractors are quick to point out one thing — the absence of star midfielder Jillian Wilson, an all-time Greyhound great who turned her tassel in May.

Lest they forget that Loyola’s been in this position before. Wilson, a draw dynamo, took over for Livy Rosenzweig, who took over for Taylor VanThof. Oh, and Dana Dobbie is the mastermind of the draw on the sidelines.

Folks acting like Loyola is going to take a step back just because Wilson (198 draw controls) and Katie Detwiler (80) are out the door are in for a rude awakening.

“Dana is an absolute wizard and master of the draw,” head coach Jen Adams said. “One of the unique things is that we really focus on the entire draw team as a whole.”

It’s a team game, but Chase Boyle is the next one up in the center circle. A 5-10 junior from Rumson, N.J., Boyle has the height that Loyola looks for in that area of the field. She’s coming off a big year — 56 goals, 11 assists and 39 draw controls — but more is expected of her in 2024.

“She’s tall, has a great reach and is lengthy,” Adams said. “She’s got an incredible vertical as well. She’s an incredibly athletic individual at her height.”

The Patriot League runs through Loyola until further notice. A changing of the guard on the circle won’t change that — at least for now.

TOP RETURNERS

Sydni Black, A, Sr. (55G, 26A, 40DC in 2023)
Georgia Latch, A, Jr. (45G, 44A in 2023)
Lauren Spence, G, Jr. (52.0SV%, 157SV)

For as much as Loyola graduated in Wilson and Detwiler, the cupboard is far from bare. Black and Latch provide enough continuity for this offense to possibly not even skip a beat. And with Spence back for her second year as the starter in goal, the defense has its backbone.

KEY ADDITIONS

Catie Corolla, M, Gr. (Did not play in 2023 due to ACL injury)
Avery Ruhnke, M, Fr. (156G, 57A, 186 DC at Portsmouth, N.H.)
Olivia Blanding, A, Fr. (78G, 56A at West Genesee, N.Y.)
Reilly Mahon, D, Fr. (5-10 righty from Westhampton Beach, N.Y.)

Looking for a future replacement for Detwiler? It’d be unfair to ask Mahon to be that right away, but Adams is a fan of the freshman’s physique, size and presence on the field. Ruhnke plays fearlessly in the midfield, and Corolla’s status as a graduate student who’s been around the program will add some steadiness on the field. Blanding could see some time on attack.

NOTABLE DEPARTURES

Graduations: Jillian Wilson, M; Meg Hillman, M; Katie Detwiler, D; Daryl Coss, D

X-FACTOR

Lily Osborne, D, Jr. (18GB, 11 CT)

The immediate replacement for Detwiler will be Osborne. Adams said she’ll be shadowing the top offensive threats of each opponent, a position she earned not just because of Loyola’s defensive scheme. Osborne has earned the role having played closely under the leadership of Detwiler, and Adams is excited for her game to evolve in 2024.

THE NARRATIVE

Loyola graduates program-defining, record-setting players just about every year. And the Greyhounds backfill those positions each spring. The narrative that Loyola does just a good a job as any program in the country in player development is spot on.

The next big name Adams thinks the lacrosse world should keep an eye on? Sydni Black, who enters her senior season with much more in the tank.

“I don’t think the world has seen what Sydni Black can do,” Adams said. “She’s so ready and so primed and injury-free this year. The lacrosse world has yet to see what Sydni Black can do.”

Black’s expected ascension comes from the understanding that it’s her time now (along with Latch, her running mate on attack). Adams and Dobbie empower their players to step in and step up when their numbers are called.

And it’s not like Black is an unknown. We’ve seen what she can do in a support role, tallying 102 goals and 40 assists in 55 career games — and 133 of those points have come in her last 42 games.

“Our players at Loyola are excited for their opportunities to step up and be those next [big] players,” Adams said.

ENEMY LINES

“They always have tremendous stick work and finishing ability. Their draw is their strength. Sydni Black is tough kid to mark. She’s very good. They’re always such a good team and they play confidently. You have to be smart with the ball and win some draws.”

BEYOND THE BASICS
POWERED BY LACROSSE REFERENCE

Georgia Latch emerged as a pivotal figure for Loyola’s offense last season. She increased her shot share from 10.7% to 15.8% and her usage rate from 9.5% to 13.2%. Despite a slight drop in individual efficiency, she maintained impressive above-average metrics, demonstrating her capability to handle a larger offensive role within the team. With Jillian Wilson departing, might she be in line for another jump in productivity?

Lacrosse Reference Glossary