“As soon as she’s in between the lines, you better watch out. She’s out there for blood. She’s a leader, a competitor, a warrior.” — Hofstra coach Shannon Smith, Murray’s former high school teammate
in the 2012 semifinals. In that game, Murray displayed a pretty high lacrosse IQ by calling for a stick check on a Gabi Wiegand goal that would have been a game-winner for the Gators. She frantically sprinted to an official after Florida scored and asked her to examine Wiegand’s stick, which was found to have an illegal pocket. “I just ran over to the ref a little crazed,”
Murray said afterward. “Anybody can do that. We were fighting for our life and it was something you have to do.” Syracuse went on to win 14-13,
but then lost a grinding 8-6 final to Northwestern and her old friend Shannon Smith, who then graduated as the Wildcats’ all-time leading scorer.
A self-described hothead, Murray has tamped down her emotions, but remains resolute in the quest for an NCAA title.
In 2013, Syracuse had a brief lead
on Maryland in the NCAA semifinals, but ultimately lost 11-10. Murray was held to just one goal on two shots, but the added focus on her allowed Treanor to pop off four goals and two assists. Murray has every intention of completing that bit of unfinished business. The Orange is ranked No. 3 in Lacrosse Magazine’s NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse preseason top 20. (see more on page 54) and will host the other five of the top six teams at the Carrier Dome. “We didn’t accomplish our ultimate
goal. It was winning the national championship, and that wasn’t accomplished,” she said, “I keep saying, ‘We have to do it now, because I don’t want to go back next year and see it happen when I’m not a part of it.’” LM
First-Team All-Americans A Alyssa Murray, Syracuse, Sr. A Kayla Treanor, Syracuse, So. A Taylor D’Amore, Johns Hopkins, Sr. A Abbey Friend, North Carolina, Sr. A Brooke Griffin, Maryland, Jr. M Taylor Cummings, Maryland, So. M Shannon Gilroy, Florida, Jr. M Morgan Stephens, Virginia, Jr. M Brittney Coppa, North Carolina, Sr. M Marlee Paton, Loyola, Sr. D Sloane Serpe, North Carolina, Sr. D Barbara Sullivan, Notre Dame, Jr. D Taylor Virden, Duke, Sr. D Kate Ivory, Northwestern, Gr. D Kelsey McGovern, UMass, Sr. G Kelsey Duryea, Duke, So.
A Publication of US Lacrosse
Conference Winners ALC: Northwestern America East: Stony Brook Atlantic 10: UMass ACC: North Carolina Atlantic Sun: Jacksonville Big East: Georgetown Big South: High Point CAA: Towson Ivy League: Penn MAAC: Canisius MPSF: Stanford NEC: Monmouth Patriot League: Loyola
At-Large Teams Maryland (ACC) Syracuse (ACC) Florida (ALC) Duke (ACC) Virginia (ACC) Penn State (ALC) Notre Dame (ACC) Denver (MPSF) Navy (Patriot League) Princeton (Ivy League) Boston College (ACC) Johns Hopkins (Independent) UConn (Big East)
Bracket Buster BOSTON COLLEGE
The Eagles made the NCAA tournament for the first time in 2011, suffered a letdown despite the arrival of five-star recruits Covie Stanwick and Mikaela Rix in 2012, got back into the 26- team dance in 2013 and lost to Dartmouth in the first round. Stanwick and Rix, now juniors, were second-team All-Americans. “Those two need to have big games every game for BC to have a chance in an even more competitive ACC,” said one rival coach.
Sleeper Team LOUISVILLE
Controversy swirled around the Cardinals after a salacious media report in which former players accused coach Kellie Young of abusive tactics. The university stood by Young, as did a separate group of former players. Lost in that, Louisville has a shot at doing big things in a wide-open Big East. Nikki Boltja and Kaylin Morissette combined for 106 goals last season.
Kaylin Morissette
February 2014 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 51
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