UNC's McCool Named Preseason Player of the Year
Fri Feb 3 2017 | Staff Reports | College
College Women
PHOTO BY RICH BARNES
North Carolina's Marie McCool finished second on the team with 46 goals in 2016. The Tar Heels begin their NCAA title defense Saturday against James Madison.
Taylor Cummings has come and gone. The three-time Tewaaraton winner left her mark on college women's lacrosse, but someone new will step up and become the next Tewaaraton winner. Who will it be? As part of the February issue of US Lacrosse Magazine, the NCAA Preview, we give you our Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Players of the Year in Division I, II and III men's lacrosse.
Division I
Nike/USL Preseason Player of the Year
Marie McCool, North Carolina
McCool showed she belonged in the same conversation as Cummings when she shut her down in the NCAA championship game. She was the Tar Heels’ No. 2 goal scorer (46) while also marking opponents’ top midfielder with a team-high 25 caused turnovers. She's one of just two current collegians on the U.S. Women's World Cup roster.
Nike/USL Preseason All-Americans
Attack
Cortney Fortunato, Notre Dame, Sr.
Michaela Michael, USC, Sr.
Courtney Murphy, Stony Brook, Sr.
Megan Whittle, Maryland, Jr.
Midfield
Maddie Crutchfield, Duke, Jr.
Maggie Bill, North Carolina, R-Jr.
Marie McCool, North Carolina, Jr.
Zoe Stukenberg, Maryland, Sr.
Defense
Taylor Bresnahan, Florida, Sr.
Caroline Fitzgerald, Florida, Sr.
Nadine Hadnagy, Maryland, Sr.
Maura Schwitter, Duke, Sr.
Goalie
Ellie DeGarmo, Princeton, Sr.
Division II
Nike/USL Preseason Player of the Year
Jackie Jahelka, Adelphi
The reigning IWLCA Division II Attacker of the Year poured in 80 goals as a junior and went over 100 points with her 24 assists. Don’t think she and the Panthers aren’t licking their chops for an NCAA championship game rematch Feb. 21 at Florida Southern.
Players to Watch
Ashley Pyle, West Chester, Sr., A
Emily Santoli, Florida Southern, Jr., M
Jackie Jahelka, Adelphi, Sr., A
Ryley Weber, Adelphi, Sr., D
Olivia Kirk, LIU Post, Jr., G
PHOTO BY KEVIN P. TUCKER
TCJN's Elizabeth Morrison was the IWLCA Defender of the Year after recording 69 caused turnovers and 91 ground balls.
Division III
Nike/USL Preseason Player of the Year
Elizabeth Morrison, TCNJ
Unmistakable for her American flag headband, Morrison would be hard to miss anyway. The reigning IWLCA Defender of the Year led the Lions with 69 caused turnovers and 91 ground balls, while also scoring 12 goals.
Players to Watch
Clare Lyne, Trinity, Sr., A
Paige Moriarty, Franklin & Marshall, Jr., A
Elizabeth Morrison, TCNJ, Jr., D
Gabbi Nieves, Salisbury, Sr., M
Kristen Ohberg, Cortland, Sr., A
