In 30 years, Section V girls lacrosse has packed in a lot of talent. But who is the best of the best? That’s what we’re trying to figure out.
As USA Today Sports sifts through the greatest athletes ever in conjunction with the United States’ 250th year, we’re taking a more local approach. Among other sports, we ask: Who is the greatest Section V girls lacrosse player of all time?
Those considered must have played after Section V girls lacrosse officially debuted in 1995. While college accomplishments are listed for additional context, the athletes’ high school playing days were the lone consideration.
This list could be dozens deep, but we shortened it to 10 options. See an obvious omission? Let us know.
Hilary Bowen, Brighton
Bowen was a central figure as Brighton established itself as the preeminent girls lacrosse program in Section V in the 2000s. Elected to the Greater Rochester Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2017, Bowen was a three-time All-American and two-time Monroe County Player of the Year. She helped Brighton reach consecutive New York state title games, including a win in 2005. After high school, Bowen attended Northwestern where she helped the Wildcats capture four NCAA titles while earning two championship MVPs.
Erin Coykendall, Spencerport
Coykendall, who graduated high school in 2019, still stands as one of the most productive players in New York state history. Her 303 assists are a state record, while she sits second in state history with 638 points. Coykendall was a four-time All-Greater Rochester selection and first team all-state in 2018 (the first year that all-state teams were compiled for girls lacrosse). In college, Coykendall was a leading scorer for the 2023 Northwestern squad that won the NCAA title.
Taylor D’Amore, Canandaigua
D’Amore was the first two-time All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year, earning the nod in 2009 and 2010. She finished her varsity career with 251 goals and 231 assists, led Canandaigua to two Section V titles. Despite graduating high school in 2010, D’Amore was named the AGR Player of the Decade for the 2010s when the Democrat and Chronicle assembled its team in 2020. D’Amore played at Johns Hopkins after graduation.
Abbey Friend, Canandaigua
Another important member of Canandaigua’s back-to-back section title winners, Friend was a two-time All-American selection and three-time All-Greater Rochester selection. In 2020 she was named to the AGR All-Decade team for the 2010s. As a senior, Friend posted 84 goals and 52 assists. Friend attended North Carolina and was a three-time All-ACC first-team pick.
Emily Hawryschuk, Churchville-Chili/Victor
A transfer midway through high school didn’t stop Hawryschuk, who was named to two All-America teams as a junior and senior. The midfielder led Victor to the Class B section title in 2015, scoring 89 goals. She was named MVP of the sectional tournament that spring. Hawryschuk was a three-time All-Greater Rochester selection and was voted to the AGR All-Decade team for the 2010s. Hawryschuk attended Syracuse and graduated as the program’s all-time leader in goals scored (272) and ranks fourth in career points (341).
Elizabeth Hogan, Victor
A member of the inaugural All-Greater Rochester team in 2007, Hogan was a star goaltender at Victor before the program became an annual powerhouse. She finished her varsity career with 952 saves and a 67% save percentage. Along with numerous Big East accolades, Hogan ranks second in Syracuse history in career saves and owns the program’s single season record in that category. She is one of three players in team history to earn Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Whitney Michele, East Rochester
Michele was a three-time All-American and two-time Monroe County Player of the Year for the now-defunct East Rochester program in the 2000s. She played in four consecutive Section V championship games and helped the Bombers reach the state final in 2002 and 2003. Michele attended UConn, where she was one of the program’s all-time leading scorers upon graduation.
Heidi Rothfuss, Penfield
Rothfuss was an original Section V girls lacrosse player, starring for Penfield in the 1990s. She was an All-American in 1997 and named to the Greater Rochester Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2016. Rothfuss later played at Penn State and enjoyed a successful coaching career in Section V, leading Pittsford to multiple titles.
Andra Savage, Palmyra-Macedon
One of only two “small school” players on this initial list, Savage was a scoring fiend for Pal-Mac in the 2010s. Savage finished her varsity career with 288 goals, which ranks 25th all time in state history. If not for the canceled 2020 season, Savage likely would’ve challenged Section V’s all-time goals record. A midfielder, Savage was a three-time All-Greater Rochester selection and was named second team all-state as a junior. She later attended Niagara University, where she tied the MAAC conference’s single-season goals record.
Danielle Spencer, Brighton
Another crucial member of Brighton’s dynasty in the 2000s, Spencer is a 2018 inductee in the Greater Rochester Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Spencer was a member of Brighton’s state winner in 2005 and state finalist in 2004. In 2006, she was named an All-American. Like many of her peers, Spencer attended Northwestern after high school and was a top offensive player for the Wildcats. Spencer is currently the head coach for Stanford’s women’s lacrosse team.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Who is Section V’s all-time girls lacrosse player? VOTE in the poll sponsored by Faber Builders
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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