The 2022 college lacrosse season is nearly upon us. As is our annual tradition, we’re featuring every team ranked in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Preseason Top 20.

Check back to USALaxMagazine.com each weekday this month for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis.

Loaded. That’s Loyola this year.

The ninth-ranked Greyhounds return their top five scorers and conference players of the year at attack, defense and goalie. Now they need some home games in the postseason.

Last year’s Loyola squad ran into a buzzsaw in Syracuse, a team that handed it a loss to open and end the season, the second time coming on the road. A difficult schedule awaits, but if these experienced Greyhounds perform, home games in the NCAA tournament could be the recipe for a Memorial Day weekend appearance.

“We have experience at every position,” coach Jen Adams said. “We have a little bit of everything everywhere.”

Just three starters graduated from last year’s team. Loyola returns a pair of All-Americans in attacker Livy Rosenzweig and defender Katie Detweiler. Midfielders Sam Fiedler, Jillian Wilson and Ellie Kluegel and attacker Emily Willis also remain on the roster. These are some of the best players in the Patriot League. With so much back, what can improve?

“Consistency,” Adams said. “We have moments where we are up there and can challenge anyone in the country. We have to be consistently hitting that mark in practice and in games.”

“Something I want us to improve on is adaptability in the moment,” Adams added. “To overcome what [opponents] throw at us.”

Rosenzweig is the team’s facilitator, and in 2021, her production remained high by averaging more than 5.5 points-per-game. She also pulled down 84 draw controls, nearly matching her freshman year best of 89 despite playing six fewer games. A bona fide Tewaaraton Award candidate, Rosenzweig will operate from all areas of the field.

“When she plays in a comfortable way, our offense opens in a comfortable way,” said Adams. “We want to expand what she’s doing and make it difficult to scout and take her out of the equation. You’ll see her come from a lot of different positions, and I’m excited to see that open up our offense.”

Adams has a bevy of multidimensional midfielders at her disposal this year. Fiedler was the team’s top scorer before she suffered a season-ending injury at Bucknell in mid-April. Wilson, a senior, garnered first-team All-Patriot League honors affecting play everywhere on the field. She won 65 draws, caused 20 turnovers, picked up 22 ground balls and amassed 43 points (26 goals, 17 assists).

“She’s a true midfielder who can do it all,” Adams gushed. “On defense we give her a matchup, on attack she can score with the game on the line. She’s very hungry for it. This is going to be that breakout year where people start noticing her.”

“We’ve had position depth before, but never at the midfield like this,” Adams added. “That in large part is key for us when we play a fast style of lacrosse.”

Larsson ended a strong season on a sour note, allowing 14 goals and failing to make a save in an NCAA tournament second-round loss to Syracuse. Her career consistency suggests she’ll bounce back. Larsson is 19-3 with a paltry 7.94 goals against average and has saved more than 52 percent of the shots she has faced.

“I’m excited to see how she undertakes her winter training and comes out in the spring,” Adams said. “She’s a quiet, confident leader. Our defense is calm when she’s in cage. Her out-of-goal play is very disruptive to an offense and allows our defense to play a more high-risk style.”

TOP RETURNERS

Livy Rosenzweig, A, Gr.

An All-American candidate from the moment she entered college lacrosse, Rosenzweig will be one of the most dynamic offensive players in the country this year. Tasked with organizing and executing Loyola’s offense, Rosenzweig can do a bit of everything. She’s a strong candidate to be a Tewaaraton finalist.

Kaitlyn Larsson, G, Gr.

The reigning Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, Larsson is a pure shot stopper who returns for a fifth year. She made a career-high 107 saves last season and held the opposition to single-digit goals in 10 of her team’s 12 wins.

Katie Detweiler, D, Sr.

Detweiler has earned All-American distinction for good reason. The 2021 Patriot League Defender of the Year, Detweiler is commonly tasked with shutting down the opposition’s top threat. She’s also a key contributor in collecting draw controls.

KEY ADDITION

Chase Boyle, M, Fr.

A multi-sport athlete, Boyle was a prolific scorer in high school and was named MVP of the 2021 Under Armour All-America Senior Game — in addition to being a USA Lacrosse High School All-American. On a team that’s already loaded with offense, Boyle provides depth at both ends of the field and should assimilate quickly.

BREAKOUT CANDIDATE

Sydni Black, M, So.

Black’s hat trick against Hofstra in the NCAA first round will be seen as a precursor to a big sophomore season. The Ohio native spent 2020 in California and couldn’t join the Greyhounds for fall ball, essentially going into 2021 cold. With a spring season, plus a fall ball, expect a lot out of this young star-to-be.

“People have started to take notice. Sydni is one of the most dynamic and athletic attackers I’ve ever coached,” said Adams.

ENEMY LINES

What rival coaches say about the Gators:

“I think Loyola is really good. For them, the key is their non-conference schedule and how they do there. Sometimes, they’ve been a little inconsistent. The years that they step out and make a name for themselves in that non-conference schedule, it sets them up for success in the Patriot League.”

BEYOND THE BASICS
POWERED BY LACROSSE REFERENCE

88.5%

The word to describe Loyola as the Greyhounds enter 2022: continuity. The Greyhounds return a full 88.5 percent of their overall production (as measured by EGA). That is the ninth-highest total in all of Division I women’s lacrosse. Sorting their roster by play share, the most involved player that isn’t back is Holly Lloyd, who had 9 percent of their assists and took 4 percent of their shots. — Zack Capozzi

Lacrosse Reference Glossary