The Syracuse women’s lacrosse team has been dealt an unfortunate blow just weeks ahead of the 2022 season, one that has been met with excitement following the hiring of Kayla Treanor to be the program’s head coach.

Emma Ward, a freshman sensation in 2021, announced on her Instagram on Sunday that she will miss the entire spring season with a lower leg injury. She did not specify what the injury was, though she mentioned it requires repairing.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Emma Ward (@emma.ward44)

“Although there are many dreams I still aspire to chase, they are going to have to be put on hold,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, I suffered a lower leg injury that needs to be repaired, so I will be missing the 2022 season.”

Ward, an attacker from Babylon, N.Y., burst onto the scene following season-ending leg injuries to Emily Hawryschuk and Megan Carney last season. In 21 games (12 starts), she contributed 43 goals and 30 assists and had a penchant for viral highlights.

On many other teams, losing players of Hawryschuk and Carney could derail a season. Not Syracuse. Ward and others stepped up to carry the Orange to the national championship game, where they ultimately fell to Boston College.

While Ward’s loss stings, the Orange still have an embarrassment of riches on the offensive end with sisters Meaghan and Emma Tyrrell, Sam Swart and Sierra Cockerille all more than capable of providing support for Hawryschuk and Carney, who are expected to be at full strength.