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Courtney Murphy, A, Sr., Stony BrookMurphy led the nation in points in 2016 (116) after notching an NCAA single-season record 100 goals last spring en route to being named an First Team All-American and the America East’s Offensive Player of the Year. Six of Murphy’s goals were game-winners, as she helped lead the Seawolves to their 17-4 mark. She also picked up 17 groundballs, seven draws and caused nine turnovers. Murphy, alongside fellow linemate Kylie Ohlmiller (below), are the nation’s top one-two punch heading into 2017. Kylie Ohlmiller, A, Jr., Stony BrookWhile Murphy had a strong showing in 2017, don’t overlook the 91-point (44G, 47A) résumé teammate Kyle Ohlmiller put up on the heels of her breakout rookie campaign (42, 44). Ohlmiller has the ability to create offense for herself and her teammates at an equally high level. The talented lefty heads into her junior campaign as the nation’s top QB-type attacker, and she looks to lead Stony Brook to its first Final Four appearance.
Ohlmiller as on the precipice of making the U.S. National Team in advance of the FIL Women’s World Cup set for England this July. The superstar from Long Island has had her share of highlight-reel moments, and she’s part of a group leading Stony Brook to new heights.
4. Stony Brook2016 record: 17-4 (6-0 America East)Last seen: Giving up a halftime lead to Syracuse and ending its hopes of a final four appearance.Starts lost: 21%Scoring lost: 7%Forecast: Stony Brook is the dark horse of 2017. The Seawolves have been on the verge of breaking through for the past few seasons and enter spring with threats all over the field, from Courtney Murphy, the first player in NCAA history to score 100 goals in a season, to goalie Anna Tesoriero, who finished second in goals against average in Division I.Enemy lines: “Return over 90 percent of scoring, starting goalie and defensive experience. Why can’t this be their year? … Spallina has done amazing things with this program. … Ohlmiller and Murphy could be best 1-2 combo in NCAA.”
4. Stony BrookTeam InfoConference: America East2016 Record: 17-42016 Conference: 6-0GPG (Rank): 13.43 (7)GAA (Rank): 6.10 (2)Location: Stony Brook, N.Y.Head Coach: Joe SpallinaYear: 6thWebsite: stonybrookathletics.comTwitter: @StonyBrookWLAXKey Losses: Alyssa Fleming, D; Maegan Meritz, D; Taylor Ranftle, A; Lauren Schwalje, M2017 Face-Off Yearbook All-Americans: Courtney Murphy, A, Sr. (First); Kylie Ohlmiller, A, Jr. (First); Dorrien Van Dyke, M, Sr. (Second); Anna Tesorierro, G, So. (HM); Jessica Volpe, D, Sr. (HM); Kristin Yevoli, M, Sr. (HM)Impact Arrival: Taryn Ohlmiller, A, Islip (N.Y.)The season will tell if Ohlmiller is a natural addition to Stony Brook’s offense, a unit regulated by her sister Kylie. An Under Armour All-American and IL’s No. 31 incomer, Ohlmiller will use her stick skills and creativity to try to contribute to an already lethal offense.Position Unit of Strength: AttackWith 2016’s national scoring leader returning to the field along with the fifth overall point-scorer from a year ago, the Seawolves’ attack will be nearly impossible to defend. First Team All-American Courtney Murphy set the NCAA single-season record with 100 goals, while Team USA member and All-American Kylie Ohlmiller quarterbacked the Stony Brook offense with 44 goals and 47 assists. The Seawolves also return Dorrien Van Dyke, who tallied a 53-goal season in 2016 — no small feat, but just over half of Murphy’s record.Preseason Storyline: Carerra comes on boardCarolyn Carerra will join Stony Brook as a transfer from another Long Island school, Hofstra. In 2016, Carerra contributed 66 draw controls, 31 groundballs and 17 caused turnovers. The junior will fortify the defensive side of the field for the Seawolves, who will need to replace a trio of starting senior defenders from 2016.Bottom Line: Stony Brook is knocking on the doorAs the Seawolves seek to make their fifth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, there is more on the horizon for the team. Stony Brook has had the pieces in place, but with virtually all of its offensive production returning from a record-breaking 2016, along with goalie Anna Tesoriero with a season under her belt, the Seawolves will have a good chance of getting over the hump to Championship Weekend. While Stony Brook will need to find answers defensively, with Tesoriero returning as the anchor, the Seawolves will still retain some consistency from a year in which Teroriero ranked 11th in the country in save percentage.
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