Women's Tewaaraton Stock Watch: Medjid, Smith Turning it On at Right Time

The Nike/USA Lacrosse Division I Top 20 welcomed a new No. 1 this week.

Northwestern, buoyed by a dominant victory over Maryland on Saturday and a Syracuse loss on Friday, emerged as the top team in Monday’s polls. But Wildcats star attacker Izzy Scane has had a taste of No. 1 rankings throughout the season. For much of the 2023 campaign, Scane has ranked first nationally in goals and goals per game. She’s also led the pack in the Tewaaraton Award Stock Watch throughout most of 2023, riding a wave of powerful performances featuring crafty dodging and goal-scoring from every angle.

As the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten tournament, Scane and the Wildcats won’t play again until May 4. But plenty of other Tewaaraton Award candidates are taking the stage this weekend — including every other member of the top five. Here’s a look at the top contenders for the Tewaaraton Award as the regular season comes to a close.

1. Izzy Scane, A, Northwestern

Scane has been seemingly unstoppable. Her nation-leading 73 goals have powered the Wildcats’ prolific offense, which ranks first nationally with an average of 17.75 goals per game. Maryland held Scane to her lowest offensive output all season, as she recorded a lone goal and two assists in a13-6 victory on Saturday. But her body of work throughout the season has been outstanding — and just a year removed from an ACL injury, too.

2. Meaghan Tyrrell, A, Syracuse

A do-it-all attacker, Tyrrell was vital to Syracuse’s historic 15-game winning streak. Boston College managed to hold Tyrrell to two goals and an assist on Friday –– a lower output than usual for the dynamic attacker, but still impressive. With 44 assists through 16 games, Tyrrell ranks fifth nationally in assists and assists per game. Expect big things from Tyrrell as the Orange look to avenge their lone loss to Boston College in ACC tournament play. 

3. Emma Ward, A, Syracuse

Like Scane, Ward sat out 2022 with an injury. Also like Scane, she has come back incredibly strong, posting 31 goals and 51 assists through 17 games. Crafty around X, Ward has kept things exciting. Boston College effectively controlled Ward on Friday, as she totaled one goal and one assist, but she bounced back against Virginia Tech in the ACC tournament, tallying a hat trick and one assist. Ward is a threat from just about anywhere near the goal circle and has provided offensive star power for the Orange alongside Tyrrell.

4. Belle Smith, M, Boston College

Boston College made a serious statement with its win over Syracuse last weekend. Smith played a huge part in that, tallying two goals, five assists and two draw controls. Dynamic in transition and clever around the goal circle, Smith has been a difference-maker for the Eagles on both sides of the field. The Long Island product also built on a string of strong performances in an ACC tournament victory against Duke on Wednesday, notching a hat trick and an assist.

5. Jenn Medjid, A, Boston College

In a conference loaded with talented attackers, Medjid stands alone in her ability to stymie just about any defense. She leads the ACC with an average of 4.25 goals per game, racking up 68 goals through 16 games. Her dominance on attack has been key to the Eagles’ recent resurgence, as she posted three goals and an assist against Syracuse and four goals against Duke. A creative attacker with a constant eye on the goal, Medjid has been key to leading Boston College’s attack in the post-Charlotte North era.

Next five: Isabella Peterson, James Madison, A; Erin Coykendall, Northwestern, A; Sam Thacker, Denver, D; Meghan Ball, Rutgers, D; Delaney Sweitzer, Syracuse, G
Five to monitor: Ellie Masera, Stony Brook, M; Hailey Rhatigan, Northwestern, A; Trinity McPherson, Denver, D; Madison Ahern, Notre Dame, A; Emily Nalls, North Carolina, D