US Lacrosse Magazine released the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Women’s Preseason Top 20 on Jan. 8. Team-by-team previews will be unveiled on uslaxmagazine.com throughout January and will also appear as part of the magazine’s NCAA preview edition that mails to US Lacrosse members Feb. 1 — opening day of the 2018 college lacrosse season.

No. 20 Virginia Tech

2017 Record: 11-8 (2-5 ACC)
Coach: John Sung (2nd year)

All-Time Record: 156-217
NCAA Appearances: 0
Final Fours: 0
Championships: 0

The Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team finally understood what it meant to be a Hokie in 2017.

After years of disappointment with zero ACC postseason wins, the team embraced and began to embody the school’s blue-collar paradigm.

A 2-5 ACC record may not look good on paper, but it was groundbreaking in John Sung’s first year as head coach. It was the first time the Hokies recorded two ACC wins, including the first time they defeated Duke.

Since joining the ACC in 2005, the Hokies were just 3-62 in conference play. Not only did Virginia Tech improve in that regard, but it also had an overall winning record for the first time since 2012 and just seventh time in the program’s 23-year history.

“They still play with a chip on their shoulder,” Sung said. “They want to prove that Virginia Tech wasn’t just a flash in the pan. This wasn’t a one-year, new-coach kind of thing. This is the real deal. We’re changing our culture.”

Sung learned how to build a program at Winthrop, constructing the Eagles from the ground up and leading them to a Big South championship. 

“Year two is all about improving,” Sung said. “It’s about improving on what we started. We accomplished a lot last year, getting our program ranked and getting back in the national spotlight.”

How close were the Hokies in 2017? Three of Virginia Tech’s eight losses (Elon, Louisville and Syracuse) were in overtime, with an additional three defeats (James Madison, Notre Dame and Virginia) coming by four goals or fewer. The Hokies’ breakthrough season also included a win over eventual NCAA runner-up Boston College, but it wasn’t enough to get into the NCAA tournament.

“If you asked me in May how disappointed I was, I was pretty disappointed. But when you asked me in August, I learned that it was just fuel for our fire,” Sung said. “We want to have the mentality of never stopping, but we just couldn’t do that last year. Now we have the roster size to practice how we need to practice. We have new kids that come from programs with winning traditions. We’re really excited about the transformation of this program. We’re still hungry. That’s the best thing about it.”

The Case For Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech had one of the most impressive turnarounds under a new coach in 2017, netting signature wins over ACC rivals Boston College and Duke early. After being ranked 82nd and 90th in Division I for scoring offense and scoring defense in 2016, Sung boosted the Hokies to 26th and 13th, respectively, while playing in one of the toughest conferences in women’s lacrosse. They graduated just four players and have the depth they need with a big freshman class. Virginia Tech notably returns Tristan McGinley, who tied for the team lead in points and led in draw controls. The next five scorers are also back along with fifth-year goalie Meagh Graham.

The Case Against Virginia Tech

It is just Sung’s second season. “It’s still new,” he said. “The freshman class has to play a huge role in rebuilding the program.” There are 13 freshmen on the roster looking to make an impact after one of Virginia Tech’s leaders graduated in attacker Kristine Loscalzo, who led the team in goals and points. Statistically, the Hokies also need to improve on 50-50 balls, including ground balls and draw controls, which ranked among the lowest nationally.

Path to the Playoffs

Winning two ACC games in 2017 was a step in the right direction, but in order to have a shot at their first NCAA tournament berth, the Hokies need to do better. Virginia Tech must find a way to finish off conference foes — they lost to Louisville and Syracuse in overtime. Opening against USC at home will be a good indicator for the season, as well as non-conference games against the the Pac-12’s Colorado and the CAA’s James Madison and Elon. “We need success against the CAA, because we’re all fighting for those at-large bids,” Sung said. “We want to control our destiny.”.

Players To Watch

Mary Claire Byrne, M, R-Jr.
37 CT, 34 GB

After tearing her ACL, Bryne returned midway through the JMU game Feb. 15. “She was the kid that led in caused turnovers and didn’t play defensively [in many games] because she was injured,” Sung said. Excluding the Hokies’ starting goalie, she also was second in ground balls.

Meagh Graham, G, R.-Sr.
44.7 SV%, 47 GB

The Hokies’ defense is their biggest strength. Graham provides experience and wisdom from the net. She posted a school single-season best 9.64 goals against average. “She’s not the flashiest player, but her save percentage and goals against was right up there nationally,” Sung said.

Tristan McGinley, A, Sr.
57 PTS, 95 DC

McGinley, who also played some midfield, made the Tewaaraton watch list. She set the school record for draw controls in a season with 95. “Last year was the tip of the iceberg, watching her come out of her shell,” Sung said.

National Rankings

Power Ratings (Scale of 1-5)

Offense
⭐⭐⭐

Defense
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goalkeeping
⭐⭐⭐

Draw
⭐⭐

2

ACC games won in 2017, the most since Virginia Tech joined the league in 2005. The Hokies defeated NCAA runner-up Boston College 18-12 and Duke 11-6, the latter being the first time they have topped the Blue Devils. “Last year not only gave our program, but our staff and myself that belief that you can do this,” Sung said. “You belong.”

5-Year Trend
Scoring Defense

Coach Confidential
John Sung

“We have to outwork you. We’ve got to be relentless. … I wanted to be part of rewriting history. Let’s be a top-four team in the ACC this year. If you’re a top-four team, you’re a pretty good team.”

Enemy Lines
Rival Coaches

“Great first year with the new staff. … Poised for a jump with some of Coach Sung’s own recruits.”