Loyola University Maryland is the most successful program in the WCLA’s 10-year era of Division II championships. The Greyhounds have recorded 20 all-time wins in WCLA tournament play, more than any other team, and have made four appearances in the championship game.
Loyola was the national runner-up in the inaugural Division II championship tournament in 2010, and again in 2017. Over the past two years, the Hounds have been dominant in capturing back-to-back titles, and they are again among the favorites in 2020.
It’s probably no coincidence that attacker Kelly O’Krepkie’s career overlaps with Loyola’s recent supremacy, making the senior All-American a solid choice as the US Lacrosse WCLA Division II Preseason Player of the Year.
“She’s like a coach on the field,” said Loyola team captain Jenna Siegelbaum, who joined O’Krepkie on the 2019 All-American team. “She’s always thinking about the smartest play that we can make.”
O’Krepkie serves as the team’s quarterback much of the time, directing the offense and initiating the play. Her decision-making has helped fuel an explosive offense that has put up record-setting numbers at the WCLA championship tournament in each of the past two years.
In 2018, the Greyhounds scored 68 goals in four tournament games, the second highest total ever, and capped their championship run with a lopsided 14-3 win in the final over defending champion Denver. O’Krepkie masterfully directed the offense that day, finishing with four goals and four assists and being selected as the tournament’s most outstanding attacker. Loyola’s 11-goal margin of victory was the largest ever in the D-II championship game.
“She’s always looking to spread the ball around,” Siegelbaum said. “She’s got a great mindset.”
Last year, Loyola avenged its only loss of the year, against Navy, by rebounding with wins over the Mids in both the MAWLL league final and again in the national championship game. A season-ending 10-game winning streak carried the Greyhounds to their second straight WCLA title.
Not surprisingly, O’Krepkie was one of the catalysts again in last year’s title run. First, she posted another eight-point game with four goals and four assists in the semifinal win over Utah State. She followed the next day with one goal and three more assists in the 13-6 win over Navy Club in the final.
“Goals are nice, but I love getting assists because it helps build the confidence of the other players,” O’Krepkie said.