Taylor Cummings is a three-time Tewaaraton Award winner, a member of the U.S. women’s national team, the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse champion and the head coach at McDonogh (Md.). “Taylor’s Takes” is presented by Gait Lacrosse. Be legendary.

The best time of the year is almost here, and in just a few short days, we will have all the conference champions crowned and the NCAA tournament field set.

This penultimate week of the regular season saw the finale of play for some, the beginning of the postseason for others, and even our first conference tournament champion in the Saint Joseph’s Hawks.

We saw teams with their backs against the wall shine to earn .500 records and the potential to enter the NCAA tournament. There were upsets in tournament games, a quadruple-overtime thriller between Niagara and Manhattan and more highlight performances from players than ever before.

The excitement from the fans in the stands, teams on the field and announcers in the studios was palpable even from my seat on the couch.

Before we get into postseason play for most programs, let’s take one last look at a few players who shined this past weekend.

Reagan Roelofs, Navy, Attack

Roelofs was mighty impressive in Navy’s conference tilt against Loyola last Thursday night, both in the draw circle and on the offensive end. She scored four of Navy’s five goals on the night in a variety of ways — with hard dodges, nifty trick shots off cuts and quick sticks in tight to cage — and was the spark for the Mids. I also admire Roelof’s ability to snag the ball out of the air under immense pressure from crashing opposition. If Navy is going to make a run during Patriot League championships, Roelofs will have to continue her stellar performances all over the field.

Abbey Hurlbrink, Johns Hopkins, Midfield

Hurlbrink was the spark plug the Blue Jays needed during Thursday night’s must-win contest against Penn State. Penn State plays a shifting zone defensively, and Hurlbrink proved that it is not only possible, but beneficial, to dodge hard against one. She was able to find openings and create shot opportunities through the shifting defensive players by lowering her shoulder, protecting her stick and using a quick and powerful first step. Hurlbrink shot 80 percent on the night and accounted for four of Johns Hopkins’ 10 tallies.

Paulina DiFatta, Pittsburgh, Goalie

In Pitt’s first-ever ACC tournament appearance, DiFatta was able to set a record for total saves with 37 in just two games. She played an integral part in the Panther’s first ACC tournament win against Louisville with 19 saves and 10 goals against and continued that solid play into Friday’s match against North Carolina. DiFatta has incredibly quick hands, cuts off shooting angles well and is solid in the clear. Pittsburgh made waves during their first year of Division I play, and we’re all looking forward to seeing what year two will bring for the Panthers.

Jackie Wolak, Notre Dame, Attack

Jackie Wolak put an Irish team with their backs against the wall on her own back during the first weekend of ACC tournament play. In just two games, she tallied six goals and eight assists and was a vital part of Notre Dame’s rout of Duke and their comeback against UNC. Wolak’s ability to both feed on the move and set herself up for success off the dodge is what makes her such a deadly attacker. She’s also able to attack from behind cage, up top and off elbows, making it so difficult to defend her successfully.

Lauren Figura, St. Joseph’s, Attack

Saint Joseph’s had to take a tough road through the A-10 tournament to secure its spot in the NCAA dance later this May, but the Hawks were well up to the challenge. Attacker Lauren Figura’s five-goal performance against Richmond in the semifinals helped the Hawks earn their championship appearance on Sunday. She was then able to repeat her stat line with another five goals to help the Hawks secure their spot in NCAAs. Figura is deadly off the dodge and has a strong outside shot, which makes life as an opposing goalie very difficult. She can release from anywhere, places the ball well and is someone teams don’t want to get on a hot streak. Unfortunately for teams this weekend, Figura’s hot streak never fizzled out.

Courtney Taylor, Boston College, Defense

Boston College was a multi-headed monster in the ACC tournament this past weekend, with offensive weapons Belle Smith, Charlotte North, Jenn Medjid and Cassidy Weeks each performing outstandingly, but it was the defensive play of Courtney Taylor that stood out most to me. A transfer from Temple, Taylor is the vocal leader on the defensive end and sends slides efficiently and quickly for the Eagles. She also matched up against some of Syracuse and Virginia’s toughest offensive weapons and played solid body defense throughout the weekend.

TAYLOR’S TOP 10

1. North Carolina
2. Boston College
3. Maryland
4. Northwestern
5. Syracuse
6. Loyola
7. Stony Brook
8. Florida
9. Duke
10. Denver