Lacrosse: Treanor still part of national team

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jim Schiltz

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Kayla Treanor wants to conquer the lacrosse world … again.

The Niskayuna High School and Syracuse University All-American was among 38 players selected to the 2014-15 U.S. Women’s National Team Sunday following a three-day tryout at Georgetown University.

The team will ultimately be paired down to 18 for competition at the 2017 Federation of International Lacrosse Women’s World Cup in Surrey, England.

“It’s incredible to hear your number called. It’s such an awesome feeling,” said Treanor, one of 11 attack players who made the training roster. “I’m just so honored to be a part of the team.”

Treanor and two others were invited to play for the national team at the October 2013 Stars and Stripes weekend. Her official spot on the team came after what she called, “One of the hardest things I had to do in sports.”

“It was very, very competitive. It was the best players in the world, and everyone played like they wanted to make the team,” she said. “It was three days, all day long, every day. You had to be physically and mentally prepared the whole time.”

Treanor helped the national under-19 team win the world championship in Germany in 2011, in the summer following her junior year at Niskayuna. She collected 14 goals and three assists for the national team, which wrapped up an 8-0 tournament run with a 14-11 title-game win over Australia.

“It would be great to win another world, but it’s a long time away,” said Treanor. “I’m just going to continue to work really hard.”

Treanor is one of six players from that U19 team that made the 38-player cut. Eight others who made it from an invite-only tryout pool of 81 played on the national team’s gold medal-winning World Cup edition in 2013.

The national team has secured seven world championships, and two in a row.

“I feel fortunate that I was able to do that [win the U19 worlds]. It gives me the desire to make the final team and do it again,” said Treanor. “My ultimate goal is to make the final 18.”

The national team will hold its first training session Aug. 1-3 at Georgetown.

Treanor said several more sessions and a series of games will follow before another mass tryout is held next summer. Treanor is determined to be a better player at that time.

“I’ve got to work on my shooting percentage. I want to improve that. I want to continue to elevate my overall game,” she said. “I want to be a better dodger and ride better. Also, for my teammates, I want to become a better leader on and of the field.”

Treanor did some great things on the field this past spring for Syracuse, and led the nation with 117 points. The Tewaaraton Award finalist helped the Orange (21-3) set a school record for wins while reaching their second NCAA Division I championship game.

Maryland won that game, 15-12, despite a fine second-half comeback by the Orange.

Treanor finished with a two goals and an assist after a four-goal, three-assist effort in a 16-8 semifinal win over Virginia.

“We can only get better,” said Treanor. “We’ve gotten better every year since coach [Gary] Gait got here. He’s an amazing coach.”

Treanor scored a Syracuse-record 79 goals this past season, and her 117 points are second on the college’s all-time list and an Orange sophomore record. Treanor was selected the International Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Attacker of the Year, the Inside Lacrosse co-Attacker of the Year, the Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the Women’sLax.Com Player of the Year.

“I used to play midfield in high school. When I got to Syracuse, they wanted me to play crease attack,” said the 5-foot-9 Treanor. “It’s been great. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Treanor piled up 213 goals and 110 assists while at Niskayuna, and became the first Section II player to be named a US Lacrosse All-American three times. She scored the deciding goal when Niskayuna edged Guilderland, 15-14, for the 2011 Section II A title, and was also a member of two Class B championship teams.