2017 ILWomen Top 10 Incoming Classes 4. Syracuse
The Orange were young in 2017, heavily relying on their underclassmen to make their way back to the ACC Tournament championship. With little room to crack into this lineup, talented newcomers Samantha Swart (Archbishop Carroll, Pa.) and Hannah Van Middelem (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) lead a group of Under Armour All-Americans and rookies looking to be the exception to that rule and push for immediate playing time in the ‘Cuse.
7. Megan Carney | A | John Paul II (Texas)
14. Sarah Cooper | D | Notre Dame Prep (Md.)
25. Lexi LeDoyen | A | Bishop Ireton (Va.)
26. Meaghan Tyrrell | A | Mount Sinai (N.Y.)
WL. Braelie Kempney | A | Carthage (N.Y.)
WL. Alex Marino | A | Bryn Mawr (Md.)
Caitlyn Wurzburger (American Heritage-Delray, Fla.) headlines this year’s group of ILWomen Young Gun Sophomores, as the Syracuse commit was the only freshman to land on the All-ILWomen High School Team last spring. In 2017, the Florida wunderkind posted 216 points this year on 101 goals and 115 assists en route to a 19-1 run. Over the summer, Wurzburger earned a spot on the Under Armour Underclass Command Division All-Tournament Team, representing the state of Florida for the South.
Katie Goodale | D | Riverhead (N.Y.) | Syracuse
Jen Markey | M | Mt. Sinai (N.Y.) | Syracuse
Emma Ward | A | Babylon (N.Y.) | Syracuse
Caitlyn Wurzburger | A | American Heritage-Delray (Fla.) | Syracuse
2017 ILWomen Top Incoming Midfielders 4. Samantha Swart | Archbishop Carroll (Pa.) | Syracuse
The speedy, explosive lefty out of Philly follows a long trail of All-America lefties to Upstate New York — Alyssa Murray and Michelle Tumolo, to name a couple. Leading Carroll’s state championship charge in 2017, Swart tallied 97 goals and 32 assists as one of the nation’s top lacrosse and field hockey recruits.
1. Hannah Van Middelem | Mount Sinai (N.Y.) | Syracuse
A four-time state champion in a five-year span, Van Middelem anchored a Mustang defensive unit that gave up just 3.6 goals per game in 2017. Headed six hours Upstate, she’ll look to bring her winning ways to an Orange program that has yet to capture what its biggest rivals the likes of Maryland and North Carolina have: a national championship.
“Hannah brings a wealth of championship experience, playing against very tough Long Island teams and some of the top players in the country," says Syracuse associate head coach, Regy Thorpe. "She’s a proven winner and she’s excited to take the next step in her career. We expect her to come in and learn and compete over the next four years.”
4. Syracuse
The Orange likely have the deepest attack corps in the country, returning four players in the unit with at least 25 goals, all players with different skill sets. The top goal-scorer in senior ILWomen Honorable Mention All-American Riley Donahue with 42 goals and 26 assists, one of the top freshman in the ACC last year in Emily Hawryschuk with 38 goals, the sharpshooting junior Nicole Levy with 25 goals and 22 assists and senior Alie Jimerson, who scored 27 goals and 12 assists in her first year with the Orange.
5. Syracuse
Syracuse’s deep offense extends to its midfield, adding four more double digit scorers inbetween the restraining lines. Junior Natalie Wallon notched 29 goals, a team-best 22 caused turnovers, 39 ground balls and 27 draw controls while redshirt sophomore Mary Rahal also had 29 goals. Add in draw specialist Morgan Widner, who averaged 7.09 draw controls a game and totaled 156 last year to rank fifth in Syracuse history, and #4 ILWomen midfield recruit Samantha Smart out of Archbishop Carroll.
