TAYLOR CUMMINGS IS A THREE-TIME TEWAARATON WINNER, A MEMBER OF TEAM USA AND THE HEAD COACH AT MCDONOGH (MD.) HIGH SCHOOL. "TAYLOR'S TAKES" IS PRESENTED BY GAIT LACROSSE. BE LEGENDARY.

It’s pretty crazy to think that we’ve officially hit the one-year mark since COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season and the sports world came to a halt. No one had any idea of what the next 365 days would look like for the world, for our country and certainly not for collegiate lacrosse. Considering the fact that we are still battling this pandemic, to be sitting here writing an article about the current women’s collegiate lacrosse season at this time is a pure gift.

An overwhelming theme for the teams competing this season seems to be gratitude. Every single team, coach and player is taking nothing for granted — no practices, no road trip bus rides and certainly no games are too small to celebrate. The opportunity for teams to compete as a unit and work together toward their common goals is one that means more to everyone than in seasons past, and we as fans are seeing that passion come to life on screen.

Some of the most passionate, big-time performances occurred this week, and I can’t wait to dive into them. With that, let’s take a look at this week’s top takes!

Taylor’s Top Players

Jalen Knight, Virginia

Knight was super impressive to me in Virginia’s win over George Mason, particularly for her lacrosse IQ all over the field. She shows great awareness and decision-making skills with her slides, and she knows when to commit and when to trust that her teammate has won her matchup.

Further, Knight is always the first player to crash into the middle of the 8-meter arc when a feed is made and is consistent in the clearing game for UVA. I often talk about the “little things” that defenders do that make the difference, and Knight is a clear example of someone who uses her lacrosse IQ to make those little things look easy.

Emily Gaven, Georgetown

Gaven was a spark for Georgetown early on in its midweek road matchup against Loyola. She kept the game close, especially in the first half, with doorstop saves and successful clears that won the Hoyas more offensive possessions in a game in which they struggled to control the draw. She ended the game with only six saves, but Gaven’s poise in the first half of play is what stood out most to me in this game.

Sierra Cockerille, Syracuse

On a team full of talented and flashy low attackers, Cockerille is the solid, do-it-all midfielder that the Orange rely upon consistently. She is gritty on the draw circle, can spark transition after solid defensive sets and is a hard top-dodger who uses her strength and solid stick work to dissect teams from the elbows.

Cockerille was huge for the Orange in their Thursday night game against Notre Dame, as she put away four goals in the first half alone. She is a player who can potentially fly under the radar with so many other big names on the roster, but it’s clear that her teammates (and many viewers) know just how important she is to Syracuse’s current and continued success.

Kathleen Garvey, Johns Hopkins

Garvey did everything she possibly could to keep the Hopkins-Maryland game as close as possible. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, Friday’s contest resulted in an overtime loss, but Garvey should still be incredibly proud of her performance. She had 12 saves (57.1 percent), many of which came in big moments when the Terps could’ve built up a run to pull the game out of reach.

Garvey is a tall goalie who gave the Maryland offense fits, as she knows how to cut off shooting angles and limit placement options.

Charlotte North, Boston College

North is an electric player, as showcased best by the most recent US Lacrosse Magazine cover. The genuine passion she competes with is unmatched, and her celebrations for every single play her teammates make showcase what a great teammate she is.

North could do no wrong in Boston College’s win over ACC foe Virginia. She shot 100 percent on her first seven shots (which is UNREAL), and she also won 11 draws for the Eagles on Saturday. What stood out beyond the sheer number of goals North scored was the variety of ways in which she was able to do so — off backdoor cuts, off elbow drives, curling the crease and even eluding FIVE Virginia defenders at once.

The most effective attackers can beat you in a number of ways, and North is able to do that and more.

Alyssa Parrella, Hofstra

Parrella has been a force for Hofstra for years, but on Saturday, she officially cemented her place in their record books. She scored 10 times on Saturday (in a multitude of different ways) and hit the back of the net more than Villanova’s entire team.

Parrella is a shifty attacker with a great stick who can play flashy and rip it from the 8-meter arc and can also easily work her way inside, throw a few fakes and take a simple shot. She is a leader for this Hofstra team who will continue to be relied upon all spring long.

Taylor’s Top 10 Teams

1. UNC (7-0)
2. Syracuse (5-0)
3. Northwestern (5-0)
4. Boston College (4-1)
5. Notre Dame (2-2)
6. Stony Brook (5-2)
7. Penn State (2-2)
8. Maryland (3-1)
9. Virginia (5-1)
10. Duke (5-2)