Emma Muchnick and Coco Vandiver from Syracuse Women’s Lacrosse were both selected by the California Palms in the Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) Draft, according to an announcement on Apr. 15.
The selection of these two players is significant as it highlights their achievements during their collegiate careers and marks a step forward as they move into professional lacrosse.
Muchnick, a senior midfielder, was chosen with the ninth overall pick. She has scored 71 goals and made 21 assists throughout her college career, playing her last three years at Syracuse after transferring from Maryland. Muchnick has also recorded 25 caused turnovers, including a career-high of 10 this season, along with 57 ground balls. She began this season on the Tewaaraton Award Watch List.
Vandiver was picked with the sixteenth overall selection. As a senior defender, she holds the program record for caused turnovers at Syracuse with 114 over her career. This season alone she has registered 40 caused turnovers and ranks eleventh nationally in caused turnovers per game at an average of 2.67. Vandiver is also noted as the only player in program history to have multiple seasons with at least 40 caused turnovers. She appeared on both the Tewaaraton Award Watch List and was named a Nike Midseason All-American.
The WLL will begin its inaugural regular season when the Boston Guard faces off against the New York Charging during Opening Weekend on May 15 at Centreville Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The California Palms are scheduled to play against the Maryland Charm on Friday, May 29 at Ridley Athletic Complex in Baltimore.
