Just over a month ago, Syracuse seniors Emily Hawryschuk and Asa Goldstock thought they’d played their final game in an Orange uniform. 

Even after the NCAA granted spring athletes an additional year of eligibility following the cancellation of the 2020 season, unknowns remained, Hawryschuk said. Individual schools had to decide whether to offer graduating seniors the chance to return with eligibility relief. 

Then on Friday, Syracuse Athletics announced it will “support any senior from spring sports whose season was cut short and who wish to return.” The same day, the Orange’s leading scorer and starting goalie both announced they’d return for a fifth season. 

“It’s like a no brainer,” Hawryschuk said via Zoom on Friday, “… It was a lot of waiting, a lot of trying to get the answers and then eventually we got ‘em and that easy answer pulled through.”

Hawryschuk finished the season second in the nation in goals with 39 and was named a first-team All-American in Inside Lacrosse’s end-of-season awards. She was also one of two Syracuse players named to the final Tewaaraton Award watch list, along with defender Sarah Cooper. 

Hawryschuk sits sixth all-time in both Syracuse points (249) and goals (205). In her statement, Hawryschuk said her four years so far at Syracuse were “an absolute dream come true” but cited an opportunity to win a first NCAA Championship in program history played a role in her decision to return. 

“It would be so special,” Hawryschuk said, “Just winning it is going to be something special. Putting five years to something is going to make it that much more special.” 

During the shortened season, Goldstock finished with 39 saves and led the nation with a 7.07 goals-against average. She currently sits second in school history for saves (512) behind Liz Hogan (660) and has already posted two 150 -save seasons with the Orange. 

Goldstock, who dons No. 21 for SU, joked, “I heard next year is the year of 21 and I had to come back.” She added she’d even come back if it were 2022.

“It’s just such a great opportunity,” Goldstock said, “and I couldn’t imagine passing up on it, especially with all the work that’s gone in in the last four years.”

Published on April 17, 2020 at 4:41 pm

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