Emily Hawryschuk Off to a Historic Start for Syracuse Women’s Lacrosse
By Jacob Morris
Citrus TV’s Women’s Lacrosse Beat Reporter
No. 4 Syracuse (1-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) suffered its first loss of the season against No. 10 Stony Brook (1-0, 0-0 America East) on Monday. The Seawolves used a 7-0 run in the second half to open up a 16-9 lead, eventually holding on for a 17-16 victory. While Monday’s loss was a stark contrast to Friday’s dominant win over Canisius, one thing remained consistent for the Orange: Emily Hawryschuk.
Hawryschuk entered 2020 with immeasurably high preseason expectations after dominating last season with 75 goals. She earned First Team All-American honors at the end o the year, and proved to be the catalyst powering Syracuse to a NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal appearance.
In 2019, Hawryschuk got off to a quick start, scoring four goals and recording five points in the season opener against UCONN. The offensive star then provided one of the highlights of the year when she netted the game-winning goal in the double-overtime upset over Northwestern. She would go on to record a hat trick in all but three of Syracuse’s games, and posted impressive postseason marks with five goals against both Georgetown and Northwestern
Before taking the field this season, Hawryschuk earned Preseason First Team All-American and All-ACC accolades. Additionally, she ranked third in Inside Lacrosse’s “Top 50 Players in College Lacrosse”, the highest ranking for any women’s player. Plus, the senior was named named to IL Women’s Tewaaraton Award Watchlist after failing to finish as a finalist last season.
The Victor, N.Y. native didn’t wait very long to find the back of the net in Friday’s season opener against Canisius. The senior recorded a hat trick in the first 14 minutes of the game, finishing with five goals in the first half and a career-high seven goals on the night. Hawryschuk threw in an assist for good measure and tied her career high in points. Hawryschuk’s seven goals were the most by any player across the entire country during opening weekend.
Syracuse’s second opponent was significantly tougher than its first, so Hawryschuk got off to a slower start. The attacker tickled the twine just twice before the Seawolves went on their 7-0 run. With the game seemingly out of reach, Hawryschuk took the team on her back, scoring four goals over the next seven minutes. While Hawryschuk and Syracuse’s chaotic comeback effort fell just short, the final ten minutes of the game were a perfect example of the senior’s electricity on the lacrosse field.
Hawryschuk’s impact so far in 2020 stands out beyond her Syracuse team. She has amassed 13 goals and 15 points, more than any other men’s or women’s college lacrosse player through two games.
The Orange will need Hawryschuk’s success to continue as SU plays each of the top three teams in the country and 10 out of the top 20 throughout the year. If Syracuse hopes to make a return to Championship Weekend, it will be through the heroics of Emily Hawryschuk.
jmorri27@syr.edu | @jacobwm35
