Emma Ward Breaks 300: A Legacy of Leadership and Excellence
By Sydney Chan | @SydneyO_Chan
To no one’s surprise, grad student Emma Ward has been an absolute dominant force for No. 6 Syracuse Women’s Lacrosse — Ward is the third Orange player with more than 150 goals and 150 assists and the seventh player in program history to record 300 career points. The attacker hit her historic 300 during SU’s 13-12 victory over No. 11 Virginia on Saturday. After the Cuse’s Wednesday contest against No. 13 Yale, Ward currently tallies 304 points.
“I’m someone who believes everything happens for a reason, and it’s pretty cool to be able to be in the Dome to hit that milestone with such an amazing group and such an amazing game. It’s just an honor, and I’ve loved every moment I’ve gotten to wear the block ‘S’,” Ward said after Saturday’s game.
“[Ward has] just had an amazing career here. She’s just been battling it out all year for us and has been a great teammate and great leader. I’m really proud of her,” Syracuse Head Coach Kayla Treanor reflected.
The fifth-year has been a “gift,” Treanor explained. Ward has incredible “vision and leadership ability, and she really is so easy to coach because her IQ is just so high,” Treanor added. “It’s such a gift to have a player you feel that you’re on the same page with and to really hand them the keys to your offense. I’m certainly able to do that with Emma, and I will definitely miss that,” Treanor concluded.
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Ward has been crucial to the Orange her entire collegiate career. In her debut year sporting the Orange, she made the ACC All-Freshman Team and played in all 21 games, starting 12 of them. Offensively, her skill was apparent from the start — the attacker stood second on the team in points (73) and assists (30) and was third in goals (43). She also ranked eighth in the ACC in assists with nearly two assists a game and ninth in the ACC with nearly four points a contest.
Ward unfortunately suffered an injury and didn’t play her entire sophomore season, but she came back stronger the next year. As a junior, she was not only selected to the All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Tournament Team but was also third in the nation in assists (56) and fourth in assists per game (2.67). Her 56 assists that season is the third best single-season performance in program history. Ward’s importance to this SU squad only became more apparent in her senior year and this season, especially when it was announced at the end of February that fellow attacker Olivia Adamson was sidelined for the remainder of the season with a lower-body injury.
With her veteran status, Ward continues to inspire the next generation of SU Women’s Lacrosse players. Freshman Mileena Cotter tied her personal-best against Virginia with a team-high three goals in the victory. “I’m so blessed to have [fifth-years Emma Ward and Sam Devito] to look up to as super good teammates and super good leaders. They just have all those characteristics that I want to build in myself,” Cotter described. “Emma will always take me up on going to shoot on the field and just help me get better, so it’s just a privilege to be around them and learn from them,” Cotter continued.
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Ward, Cotter, and the rest of the Cuse travel cross-country for their next contest to face new ACC opponent Cal. Opening draw is scheduled for 6pm Eastern time. For Saturday’s updates and season-long coverage, follow @SydneyO_Chan and @CitrusTVSports on X/Twitter.
